FOI Sets Final Arguments, Decision Date on Stochmal Murder Case

A decision will be made on Wednesday, May 9th by the Freedom of Information Commission whether the family of a Valley teenager who was murdered more than 30 years ago is entitled to see the prison records of her convicted killer.

The hearing officer for the state Freedom of Information Commission has issued a preliminary ruling that the Stochmal family is entitled to review the prison records, with some restrictions, of David Weinberg.

That ruling came after a long effort by the Stochmal family - headed by Joyce Stochmal's sister, Marianne Stochmal Heffernan, to see Weinberg's prison records.

Weinberg's lawyer has appealed the hearing officer's decision.

Heffernan had this to say: "Weinberg's pro bono attorney plans to object to the recommended decision, and in part, has said that the records are not "in the public interest." We contend that they are. Weinberg's behavior while incarcerated for murder is of interest to the public, who now must accept him as a free but guilty murderer living in Connecticut."

Once both sides make their pitches to the FOI, the commission is expected to make a ruling on whether to release the records the same day.

Heffernan has been asking the FOI, and hearing officer Valicia Harmon, for information on the prison records of David Weinberg, who was recently released after serving 26 years for the killing in 1984 of 19-year-old Joyce Stochmal, Heffernan's sister.

She was abducted, beaten and stabbed before her body was disposed of in a lake in Newtown.

Heffernan had this to say about Wednesday's hearing on the "Justice for Joyce" Facebook page she has set up.

"We are looking to pack the regular meeting of the Freedom of Information Commission on May 9, to demonstrate that the release of Corrections records of convicted murderer David Weinberg are very much in the public interest.

"We realize that it is difficult for most people to take time off in the middle of a work week, but if anyone is interested and able to join us, we would be grateful for the support. It could make a strong impact on the Commission to see a large group of us... show up in Hartford to observe the meeting. It also will show Weinberg's lawyer that we are #StoxStrong representing Joyce, even though it is many years since she was brutally murdered. Will you join us?

"I'll have extra Justice for Joyce buttons for anyone who needs one and wants to wear it in solidarity.
The meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. There are 13 cases on the agenda but we are #7. We appreciate any support you can show!The family of Joyce Stochmal, who was murdered in 1984 in Newtown, has won a preliminary victory in their fight to have the convicted killer's prison records released."