Corbett Signs Stephens-Backed Crime Victims Bill

By Alyson D'Alessandro and Theresa Katalinas

Crime victims and their families now will have their voices heard before inmates are considered for possible parole under a bill that Gov. Tom Corbett signed into law recently.

Tuesday's signing of House Bill 492 into law amended the state's Crime Victims Act. 

The bill, which garnered support from State Rep. Todd Stephens (R-151) of Horsham, ensures that Pennsylvania's Board of Probation and Parole hears testimony from crime victims and their families before deciding to parole an inmate.

“Our law books are filled with laws to protect defendant’s rights,” Stephens said earlier this year after the co-sponsored bill passed the House.

The bill developed out of Rep. Mike Vereb's and others' opposition earlier this year to the parole of convicted killer Rafael Robb, who pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the death of his wife, Ellen Robb, in 2006 and was sentenced to five to 10 years in prison. 

Robb's parole was originally granted after serving just over the minimum sentence, but objections from Vereb (R-150), Stephens, the Montgomery County DA's office and Ellen Robb's family stalled the release. At that time, the parole board did not hear from Ellen Robb's family before granting Rafael Robb's parole.

Upon reconsideration, the parole board decided not to grant Robb's release.

"Until this law, crime victims across Pennsylvania were not being given their rights because their voices were not being truly heard under the current parole process. Luckily, that will now change thanks to this new law," District Attorney Risa Ferman said in a press release.