Legislature Supports Family of Paula Bohovesky

From Rockland County Legislature: The Rockland County Legislature is supporting the family of Paula Bohovesky, who was brutally murdered 35 years ago, as the fight to keep her convicted killers behind bars continues.

Legislators voted 16-0 Tuesday to back a resolution that expresses condolences to and support for Paula’s family as her two killers once again come up for parole. Legislator Alden H. Wolfe (D-Montebello) is the main sponsor.

Paula was 16 and a junior at Pearl River High School when she was attacked on Oct. 28, 1980. She left the Pearl River Library, where she worked after school, and was walking the two blocks to her home when she encountered Robert McCain and Richard LaBarbera.

McCain, a drifter and career criminal from Arkansas, and LaBarbera, formerly of Pearl River, had spent the day drinking alcohol at a local bar, leaving after seeing Paula through the window, according to published reports. She was brutally attacked and killed.

Both killers have been denied release since becoming eligible for parole in 2005. They are serving sentences of 25-years-to-life for second-degree murder, the toughest sentence at the time.

Paula was an artist and aspiring actress and is still remembered by her many friends, in addition to her parents and brother. Her mother Lois continues to live in Pearl River.

Legislator Ilan Schoenberger (D-Wesley Hills) said that he wanted to separate two issues.

“This is not a resolution that is based solely upon sympathy for the family,” Schoenberger said. “We all have a great deal of sympathy for the family, but this is a resolution based upon the belief that these two individuals committed horrendous crimes and should not be allowed out of prison and not brought back into society - not only our society but society in general.”

Photo courtesy of Rockland County Legislature