1984 Palm Sunday Massacre Gunman released from prison in NY

[CoGirl303]

Soooooo just put the guy right back on the streets? Nicely done NY. Ssrved 33 years for mass murder and is out of prison a free man.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/03/31...om-prison.html

The gunman behind the 1984 “Palm Sunday Massacre” that left 10 people dead and was considered one of New York City’s largest mass shootings in decades was quietly released from prison in January.

Christopher Thomas, 68, was released from Shawangunk Correctional Facility on Jan. 5 and is believed to be residing in Queens, N.Y., the New York Post reported. He was released after serving about two-thirds of his 50-year maximum sentence, good behavior and fulfilling other criteria, a New York State Department of Corrections spokesperson said.

“The parole board did not let him out,” the spokesperson said. “He had five appearances before the parole board and was denied every time. He doesn’t need board approval because he served two-thirds.”

Thomas was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 25 to 50 year in 1985, following the massacre. He was able to avoid a murder rap because it was determined his heavy cocaine usage “contributed to his actions,” the New York Post reported.

A motive for the slaying was never determined.

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[buffalobo]

While I may disagree with the original sentence, if he has met the conditions of his punishment/sentence, why shouldn't he be let out?

[Big E3]

So, anybody on pure air that kills 10 people would get 250 years and the dirt bag doing drugs gets 33 years. Makes complete sense to me, some real incentive to not do drugs right there. Should have been 25 years minimum for each death served consecutively. I hope that that at least one of the family members of the 10 dead victims decides it’s just not right that he gets to live on as free man.

[Guylee]

Cocaine is a helluva drug!

[Gman]

Cocaine is a helluva drug!

I wouldn't know.

[CoGirl303]

While I may disagree with the original sentence, if he has met the conditions of his punishment/sentence, why shouldn't he be let out?

well to be fair, Charles Manson never actually killed anyone himself and they never let him see the light of day again.

[buffalobo]

well to be fair, Charles Manson never actually killed anyone himself and they never let him see the light of day again.

Straw man argument. Answer the question.

Btw - Manson never met the requirements of his sentence. We got lucky and he died first.

[CoGirl303]

Straw man argument. Answer the question.

Btw - Manson never met the requirements of his sentence. We got lucky and he died first.

I believe people like this are still a threat to society. That's why. Just because he served 33 years doesn't mean he won't do this again. This isn't a guy who made a bad decision and broke into a house while high, or went for a joyride and killed some passengers or another vehicle's occupants while drunk/high. This guy killed 10 people.

Manson's parole was never an object of this conversation. I was just stating he never actually killed anyone and never saw the light of day again. Why should this guy?

[buffalobo]

I believe people like this are still a threat to society. That's why. Just because he served 33 years doesn't mean he won't do this again. This isn't a guy who made a bad decision and broke into a house while high, or went for a joyride and killed some passengers or another vehicle's occupants while drunk/high. This guy killed 10 people.

Manson's parole was never an object of this conversation. I was just stating he never actually killed anyone and never saw the light of day again. Why should this guy?

I can't disagree that the murderer should never have been released. My preference would have been an execution 24 hrs after conviction. No worries about release.

Our legal system is a wreck and has been for many years.

Manson became an object of discussion when you brought him up. If you are going to make comparisons, make sure your subjects are comparable.

[Martinjmpr]

Dang, this guy only killed one person and got 99 years!