KIN AT WAR
Cop’s sibs rip his son for backing killer’s parole
A CONVICTED cop killer’s early parole — at the request of the officer’s son — has set off a family feud.
The brother and sister of Officer Waverly Jones were horrified to learn that the Parole Board thought the family supported the release of former Black Liberation Army member Herman Bell, 70, who has admitted to killing three police officers.
The board voted March 1 to let Bell go early from his life sentence based on a letter sent from the officer’s kid.
The son of Jones, who shares his father’s name, wrote the board, saying the family had forgiven Bell.
The slain cop’s other family members said they were “horrified” that the three-time-convicted cop murderer will be let out of prison.
“We would never embrace the guy who killed my brother,” Manny Jones, 72, said. “We always said that (Bell) could come home when my brother comes home.”
The younger Waverly Jones said the family was sick of being reminded of their loss every time Bell came before the parole panel.
“The simple answer is (parole) would bring joy and peace as we have already forgiven Herman Bell publicly,” the son wrote.
“On the other hand, to deny him parole again would cause us pain as we are reminded of the painful episode each time he appears before the board.”
Other family members did not write the board, but hoped that strong opposition to Bell’s release from the police unions and elected officials would be enough.
Gov. Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio have both come out against the early release.
“I was just totally shocked. We don’t embrace that,” the officer’s brother said.
Bell and his two co-defendants lured Jones and Officer Joseph Piagentini to a W. 159th St., Harlem, housing project on May 21, 1971, and shot Jones in the back of the head.
Piagentini was tortured and shot 22 times, begging for his life before he was killed.
“My life was shattered at that time, when they did that,” said Manny Jones, who spoke to a Daily News reporter with his sister, Glenna Wright, 75, also present.
“I didn’t know which way to go. If it wasn’t for my sister, I don’t know what would have happened to me,” Jones said. “My brother was like my idol.”
Bell also pleaded guilty in 2009 to killing San Francisco police officer John Young after he shot the New York cops.
At Shawangunk Correctional Facility, where the inmate was receiving visitors on Monday, Bell was cautious about talking about his release.
“I’d be open (to talking) after all of this is behind me,” he said, holding the hand of a female visitor. “But I need space to think about things. I want to make sure everything goes through.”