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TagsBY TOM HESTER SR.
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
In less than two weeks, thousands of signatures obtained through an online petition organized by Assemblyman Robert Schroeder (R-Bergen) will be submitted to the state Parole Board urging the agency to deny parole to Christopher Righetti, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for a 1976 abduction, rape and murder of Bergen County woman.
On Aug. 31 of that year, 20-year-old New Milford resident Kim Montelaro was murdered by Righetti, a repeat offender. He was sentenced to life in prison, but due to a legal technicality, he is eligible for parole on June 21, less than three years after his last parole hearing.
Schroeder is urging residents to support the Montelaro family’s efforts to keep Righetti from receiving parole.
“As a victims’ rights advocate, I want to do everything I can to ensure this repeat offender remains in prison,” Schroeder said. “We cannot allow a dangerous, unrepentant murderer the opportunity to commit more acts of violence in our community.”
Schroeder said the petition has generated strong support from residents and will be available online until April 4.
“We have already collected over 2,000 signatures, thanks to coverage from local news outlets and community word-of-mouth, but we need to get as many signatures as possible before the deadline,” the Assemblyman said.
Schroeder has advocated for New Jersey crime victims through his non-profit site, www.KeepNJSafe.org, where the online petition can also be found. He is also a co-sponsor of the Alex DeCroce Law, which calls for improvements to the New Jersey Crime Victims Bill of Rights.
