Senate Passes Griffo Bill To Reduce Early Release For Violent Felons

The state Senate has passed legislation sponsored by Senator Joseph Griffo in response to the 2011 sexual assault and murder of a women at a North Utica Motel.

68-year old Linda Turner was killed in the motel she owned by serial rapist Robert Blainey, who was released from prison despite his own admission that "society is safer with me in prison."

Griffo's bill would allow the state to deny violent felony offenders an early conditional release if there's convincing evidence that such an inmate would be an imminent threat to society.

Griffo says it will ensure that violent felons serve their full sentence without being given the opportunity for early release due to good behavior in prison.

The bill is headed to the Assembly, where a companion bill is sponsored by Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi.