Illegal to free cop killer: PBA

STATE PAROLE Board members who authorized cop killer Herman Bell’s release never reviewed the minutes of his four-decades-old sentencing before making their decision — a clear violation of the law, the city’s largest police union charged Wednesday.

The Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association is trying to use this alleged misstep to demand a new hearing for Bell, who is expected to be released from prison next month.

Bell, 70, along with two fellow members of the Black Liberation Army, were convicted of executing Police Officers Joseph Piagentini and Waverly Jones after luring them to a W. 159th St., Harlem, building with a bogus 911 call on May 21, 1971.

PBA President Patrick Lynch said by not reviewing the minutes from his 1979 sentencing the board’s actions invalidated Bell’s release.

The law requires that the board “obtain and consider” the recommendation of the sentencing court, Lynch said.

While reviewing Bell’s case, the board did read a letter from the sentencing judge, state officials said.