(WNY News Now) – Cattaraugus County – The Cattaraugus County Legislature has condemned Administrative Law Judge Michael Marasa for his recent decision to release Edward Kindt, a convicted murderer and rapist, back into society, calling for action from state officials.
On September 15, 2024, the Cattaraugus County Legislature adopted ACT NO. 383-2024, a resolution strongly denouncing the actions of Administrative Law Judge Michael Marasa concerning the parole status of Edward M. Kindt. Kindt, who was released to parole supervision on March 29, 2023, after serving 23.5 years for the brutal murder of Penny Brown, RN/CNM, has now faced significant backlash following his recent return to the community after a seven-day sentence for violating parole.
The legislature’s resolution highlights the grave concerns surrounding Kindt’s release. After violating the terms of his parole for a second time by absconding to Salamanca, where he is banned, Kindt was apprehended by the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office in July. This incident raised alarms about the effectiveness of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision in monitoring high-risk offenders.
The resolution specifies that Kindt, a notorious figure linked to heinous crimes—including exposing himself to female correction officers while incarcerated—should never have been granted parole. The Cattaraugus County Legislature asserts that Marasa’s decision to reinstate Kindt into supervised transitional housing poses a significant risk to public safety.
In light of these events, the legislature has made several demands:
- Revocation of Kindt’s Release: The legislature insists the New York State Parole Board immediately revoke Kindt’s release and remand him to prison to serve the remainder of his life sentence.
- Investigation Call: They are urging Governor Kathy Hochul to initiate a thorough investigation into the supervisory failures of the state corrections department.
- Accountability Measures: The resolution further calls for the resignation of specific members of the New York State Parole Board, citing a disregard for public safety in their decisions.
Additionally, the legislature has mandated that a certified copy of the resolution be forwarded to key state officials, including Governor Hochul and legislative leaders, as a formal notice of their condemnation and demands.
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