NEW CITY – Judith Clark, who was sentenced to 75 years to life in state prison for her role in the Brinks armored car holdup in Rockland County in 1981 that left two police officers and a security guard dead, has been granted parole by the state parole board.
Clark’s previous efforts to gain parole were denied, but on Wednesday, the state agency granted her freedom.
Larry Ayers, president of the Rockland County PBA expressed his members’ “utter disgust and disappointment” over the parole board’s decision.
Killed in the infamous heist by the Weather Underground were Police Officer Waverly “Chip” Brown, Sergeant Edward O’Grady and Brinks Guard Peter Paige.
“This group’s anti-American sentiment was the driving force behind their terroristic activities,” Ayers said.
Rockland County Executive Edwin Day, a retired cop, said the parole board’s ruling “is a cruel and unjust slap in the face to the families” of the fallen officers. “This perversion of justice is a sad continuation of the deadly assault on police officers happening across our nation and signals to the criminal element that it is open season on cops.”
Assemblyman Colin Schmitt (R, New Windsor) said Clark “should never have seen the light of day as a free citizen.” He said the parole board’s decision proves that “it prioritizes domestic terrorists over law enforcement lives.”
State Senator James Skoufis (D, Woodbury) said that while Clark may be a reformed prisoner, she was involved “in a heinous crime” that resulted in the three deaths. “Some crimes rise to such a level that they cannot be forgiven without the blessing of the victim’s families. Ms. Clark’s crimes rise to that level.”
Skoufis said law enforcement officers “put on their uniforms and swear to protect our community. Society ought to stand by their families when they make the ultimate sacrifice.”
The executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, Donna Lieberman, sees Clark’s parole differently.
She said Clark, the getaway driver in the Brinks robbery, was sentenced to die in prison. “Since her incarceration, she has expressed deep remorse for her role and used every opportunity to better herself and those around her.”
Lieberman said noted that Governor Cuomo commuted her sentence in 2016, making her eligible for parole. “Since then, over 2,000 people, including members of law enforcement, elected officials, and former district attorneys have called for Judy’s release.” She said the correctional system “does not exist to punish people, and the fundamental premise of our parole system is to allow people to repair their lives. Today, the parole board delivered an important message to the entire country and showed that New York stands for justice and recognizes that those incarcerated should be given a chance to return to society.”
