State Representative Mike Vereb (R-150) sent a letter to the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole in response to its decision to parole Rafael Robb, who pleaded guilty to the 2007 murder of his wife, Ellen Robb, at the end of January.
“There is no reason this professional manipulator and convicted wife and mother killer should serve one day less than the maximum sentence handed down,” Vereb wrote in the letter. “There is a reason Pennsylvania offers legislation with minimum and maximum sentencing. If this wife and mother killer is not the epitome of a max sentence, then who is?”
Robb plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter as part of a plea deal negotiated between his attorney and county prosecutors. Robb was sentenced to the maximum penalty under the guidelines for the crime – five to 10 years in prison.
Vereb, a former police officer, said that this decision sends the wrongs message to victims across Pennsylvania.
“I understand that Mr. Robb participated in some ‘want to be good guy’ programs, but no program or good behavior can erase the gruesome details surrounding his case and emotional horror this has been brought to the victim’s friends and family,” Vereb said. “I believe by granting parole to Mr. Robb after having served only half of his sentence sends the wrong message to victims of crime across Pennsylvania, and his maximum sentence of 10 years should be seriously reconsidered.”
According to a previous Patch article, District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman has echoed Vereb’s call.
Vereb and Ferman are holding a press conference with Gary Gregory, brother of Ellen, Friday at 4 p.m.
For Further Reading:
Vereb's Letter to the PA Board of Probation and Parole
Ivy League Prof Who Killed Wife to be Paroled
Vereb, Ferman to Announce Major Update Regarding Parole of Rafael Robb
