Sep 18, 2009 8:47 pm US/Eastern
Outrage: Murderer May Be Released To Save Money
Gregory Felder Killed Disabled Chris Gilardi In 2004, But May Be Granted A Compassionate Release Because He's Sick
State Legislature Made Violent Felons Eligible To Curb Budget Woes
Reporting
Lou Young
OAKDALE, N.Y. (CBS) ―
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Despite serving just four years of a 25-years-to-life term for murder, Gregory Felder may be granted a compassionate release from prison because he is ill.
CBS
There was a plea for freedom Friday from a killer serving 25 years to life for the murder of a disabled man.
After just four years behind bars, he's asking for a compassionate release because he's terminally ill.
As CBS 2 HD found out, the victim's family is outraged.
The news couldn't come at a worse time. For many the murder of Chris Gilardi at an Oakdale Radio Shack had just begun to wear off. Back in March 2004 they found his body behind the counter inside the store. He apparently he made a move for the alarm system. Now comes word that one of the three convicted killers is being considered for compassionate release from prison because he's sick.
For many, it's beyond belief.
"I can't fathom it. It's just so against what you would be think would be normal thinking. Who would ever think to do this?" said Monica Gilardi, the victim's mother.
Chris Gilardi was killed during a hold-up, targeted because the 30-year-old was disabled from a childhood car accident.
The Suffolk County district attorney is livid that the state's justification for the release of Gregory Felder came in a cryptic form letter that said only the prisoner is "unsteady when ambulatory," which means he has trouble walking.
"They have determined that he has a terminal illness, but they won't tell us what it is. As I said before, this is what they sent us. This is an affront," DA Thomas Spota said.
It's especially troubling since Felder's record shows he's been paroled twice already and was on parole for robbery and attempted murder when Chris Gilardi was killed.
"He went out the back door like a coward and left my son bleeding on the floor. My son was handicapped. He couldn't offer any kind of resistance. He was not a threat to anybody," Monica Gilardi said.
The sad part is it may all be about budget cuts.
"Yes. Now maybe perhaps (Felder) is terminally ill. I don't … so what? He killed a person. There are many people who are terminally ill who have died in prison. He chose a life of crime," Spota said.
The Suffolk DA said Felder will not be released without a fight
The State Legislature made violent felons eligible for "compassionate parole" last session as part of the plan to pare down the looming budget deficit.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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