On his final day in office, former Governor Andrew Cuomo commuted the sentences of four people and pardoned one more. He also made a controversial recommendation to the parole board for a 76-year-old man serving a life sentence for the deadly robbery of a Brinks truck in 1981.
David Gilbert was a Weather Underground member, convicted on three counts of second degree murder for his role in the hijacking. Two police officers and a Brink’s guard were killed, and Gilbert was sentenced to 75-to-life with no chance of parole. Advocates including Gilbert’s son, the San Francisco District Attorney, had lobbied the governor for his release.
The New York State Association of Chiefs of Police condemned all six of the governor’s actions. Gates Police Chief James VanBrederode, President of the organization, said “we are extremely disappointed and appalled by this lack of sensitivity to the families who have been traumatized by these murderous acts.”