Why she stays locked up
Ten months after Gov. Cuomo used his extraordinary power of clemency to advance parole for a woman convicted of felony murder, the 190-page transcript of the parole hearing for Judith Clark has been published. She didn’t get out, and the transcript shows why. Clark as getaway driver was part of the gang of terrorists who murdered an armored truck driver and two police officers in the infamous Brink’s heist in Rockland County in 1981.
We stand by the judgment we rendered after Cuomo visited Clark in prison last year and spoke movingly for her chance at parole: While she has indeed rehabilitated herself behind bars, she cannot make a compelling case why she over all other reformed convicts deserves special leniency.
In fact, the principle of equal justice under law argues powerfully against granting leniency for a privileged and connected woman who was responsible for three horrendous killings.
While it would be wrong to subject her to particular cruelty because of who she is, neither should her background issue her a get-out-of-jail card.
Three parole commissioners heard Clark’s plea in April. After seven hours, they unanimously denied freedom to Clark.
Last Friday, Oct. 20, the board finally issued the transcript — ironically at the exact hour of the annual memorial ceremony for the murdered Nyack cops, Sgt. Edward O’Grady and Officer Waverly Brown, who died along with Brink’s guard Peter Paige.
The transcript shows that Clark is indeed changed from the crazed Weather Underground terrorist who was part of its even more radical offshoot, the May 19th Communist Organization.
She credibly demonstrates repentance. She has done good works behind bars, including training 11 service dogs for wounded veterans.
But even as that fact argues for leniency in her case, it underlines the heinousness of her crime.
A parole commissioner noted that the three men she helped murder were all were vets who honorably served: O’Grady a Marine, Brown in the Air Force and Paige in the Navy. Each left behind three kids.
The board rightly concluded “that your release at this time is incompatible with the welfare of society as expressed directly by relevant officials and thousands of its members, and that it would deprecate the seriousness of your crimes as to undermine respect for the law.”
Clark’s treatment by the parole board was typical, as just a quarter of first-timers win release and even during reappearances, only 30% get out.
Of the Brink’s robbers, one died in a shootout, two died in prison, two have been paroled and one apparently is in the witness relocation program. Clark and two more are still locked up.
She gets another chance in 2019.