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Andrew Cuomo sparks fury as he 'commutes' sentence for killer David Gilbert

People slammed Andrew Cuomo for granting clemency to Weather Underground killer David Gilbert

Victims' groups have attacked outgoing New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for granting clemency while commuting the murder sentence of San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin's father David Gilbert in an armored car heist that killed three people, news outlets reported on Monday, August 23. 

On August 23, 2021, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's difficult last months in office came to a close. Cuomo, on the other hand, used his office's power to offer commutations before stepping down, as is customary for exiting governors. However, just like his tenure in office, his choice of the people to who he handed commutations, has become a contentious issue, since all five sentenced had been accused of murder.

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Cuomo said on Monday evening that David Gilbert, 76, Greg Mingo, 68, Robert Ehrenberg, 62, Ulysses Boyd, 66, and Paul Clark, 59, had their jail sentences commuted. All five were convicted of murder, with David Gilbert - Boudin's father - the only one still serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for a deadly 1981 robbery of a Brinks cash truck that killed a security guard and two cops.

Chesa Boudin uses his mother Kathy's last name as his surname. Kathy was the one who fired the rounds that killed the two cops. She was released in 2003 after agreeing to a plea deal in which she admitted to felony murder in exchange for a 20-year sentence. She presently teaches at Columbia University's School of Social Work in New York as an adjunct professor.

Cuomo said Monday that his crime ''related to an incident in which he was the driver, not the killer", the Daily Mail reported. David Gilbert is a former Weather Underground member who is currently serving a life sentence for his involvement as a getaway driver in the heist of a Brink's armored car on October 20, 1981. Two police officers and a Brink's guard were killed in the robbery, which was carried out by members of the Black Liberation Army and the May 19 Coalition, according to Open Democracy.

Gilbert, in 1983, was convicted of three charges of second-degree murder in connection with the killings, and Cuomo's commutation reduced his 75-year minimum sentence to 40 years. Despite the fact that Cuomo shortened Gilbert's sentence, he also stated that the case had been forwarded to the parole board for "potential release", implying that he will not be released right away.

Cuomo also ordered the release of the other four inmates, who had their sentences commuted as well. Boudin took to Twitter to share his joy over his father's commutation. "My heart is bursting. On the eve of my first child's birth, my dad - who's been in prison nearly my entire life - was granted clemency. He never intended harm, yet his crime devastated many families," he wrote.

However, political authorities in Rockland and the victims' families reacted angrily to the clemency. Previous attempts at mercy for Gilbert have been met with opposition from the Rockland County Patrolmen's Benevolent Association. The commutation constituted a "disgusting betrayal to the people of Rockland County, the families of Peter Paigere, Edward O'Grady, and Waverly Brown, and law enforcement officers everywhere," according to State Assemblyman Michael Lawler.

"I did not think that Andrew Cuomo could debase his office or this state any more than he did,' a reference to Cuomo's resignation over claims he sexually harassed 11 women," said Rockland County Executive Ed Day, accusing the governor of 'debasing his office'. "My thoughts are with the families of the victims of the Brinks robbery and every person of Rockland County who has been insulted by the governor today."

Other Rockland County elected officials have also voiced their support for the victims' families. A "heinous crime like murder deserves life in prison," according to County Legislator Charles Faciglia, Iohud reported. Cuomo's decision has hurt and dismayed Mary Crowley, the sister of one of the deceased cops.

Cuomo took to Twitter to let people know about his decision. "I am granting clemency to 6 people. These individuals have shown remorse, rehabilitation and commitment to their communities. I thank all the volunteer attorneys representing clemency applicants for their dedication and service to justice."

People took to Twitter to share their views. "So we’re just releasing murders or people who assisted with a murder now. Great last move," said one. "You are a coward and an awful human being," said Assemblyman Mike Lawler. "Cuomo giving clemency to David Gilbert, a left-wing Weather Underground terrorist, participant in the murderous Brink's armored car heist, & the father of SF DA Chesa Boudin, is a giant middle finger to NY law enforcement & every decent New Yorker," said a Twitter user.