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American Morning
Judge Refuses to Block ex-Radical's Release
Aired September 17, 2003 - 07:44 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: 1960's radical Kathy Boudin may emerge from prison a bit later today, paroled after serving 22 years for her role in a deadly armed robbery back in 1981. A motion filed yesterday to block that release was denied by a state judge.
And now, as emotions run hot here in New York, Deborah Feyerick today reports from Bedford Hills.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Twenty-two years ago, Kathy Boudin dropped her infant son at the baby-sitters. Then, she climbed into this U-Haul to meet up with radicals from the Black Liberation Army.
In a notorious robbery, they ambushed a Brink's armored car, killing a security guard before making their getaway in Boudin's U- Haul. Police stopped them at the highway.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And she was ordered out of the truck and acted as if she were just someone moving from one place to another, and acted scared to the point where the sergeant asked one of the officers to put his shotgun away.
FEYERICK: Several gunmen jumped out, fatally shooting two police officers.
Boudin's family says she had no weapon and didn't mean to hurt anyone.
Police Chief Alan Cosley was there that day. He says Boudin was the decoy and knew what she was doing.
ALAN COSLEY, POLICE CHIEF: The officers, in fact, did put their weapons away, which ultimately ended up costing them their lives.
FEYERICK: Boudin pleaded guilty to murder and robbery. Her sentence: 20 years to life.
Norma Hill witnessed the heist. Later, the two women became friends.
NORMA HILL, WITNESS: And I think it's time to look deep into your heart and see if you can give Kathy a second chance, because I believe she's worthy of that second chance.
FEYERICK: Behind bars, Boudin became a model prisoner, helping women with AIDS and earning a master's degree.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Security is tight outside the prison. There are about a dozen police cars.
Yesterday, police groups did try to block Boudin's release. They asked a judge for a temporary restraining order, so that they could appeal the parole decision. The judge said no.
There was a report this morning that there is a review going on right now of parole procedures. Boudin was denied parole just three months ago. The question is: Why was she let out now?
Boudin has been offered a job working at a Manhattan hospital. No indication as to whether she will take that -- Bill.
HEMMER: Deborah Feyerick, thanks, from New York.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Aired September 17, 2003 - 07:44 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: 1960's radical Kathy Boudin may emerge from prison a bit later today, paroled after serving 22 years for her role in a deadly armed robbery back in 1981. A motion filed yesterday to block that release was denied by a state judge.
And now, as emotions run hot here in New York, Deborah Feyerick today reports from Bedford Hills.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Twenty-two years ago, Kathy Boudin dropped her infant son at the baby-sitters. Then, she climbed into this U-Haul to meet up with radicals from the Black Liberation Army.
In a notorious robbery, they ambushed a Brink's armored car, killing a security guard before making their getaway in Boudin's U- Haul. Police stopped them at the highway.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And she was ordered out of the truck and acted as if she were just someone moving from one place to another, and acted scared to the point where the sergeant asked one of the officers to put his shotgun away.
FEYERICK: Several gunmen jumped out, fatally shooting two police officers.
Boudin's family says she had no weapon and didn't mean to hurt anyone.
Police Chief Alan Cosley was there that day. He says Boudin was the decoy and knew what she was doing.
ALAN COSLEY, POLICE CHIEF: The officers, in fact, did put their weapons away, which ultimately ended up costing them their lives.
FEYERICK: Boudin pleaded guilty to murder and robbery. Her sentence: 20 years to life.
Norma Hill witnessed the heist. Later, the two women became friends.
NORMA HILL, WITNESS: And I think it's time to look deep into your heart and see if you can give Kathy a second chance, because I believe she's worthy of that second chance.
FEYERICK: Behind bars, Boudin became a model prisoner, helping women with AIDS and earning a master's degree.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Security is tight outside the prison. There are about a dozen police cars.
Yesterday, police groups did try to block Boudin's release. They asked a judge for a temporary restraining order, so that they could appeal the parole decision. The judge said no.
There was a report this morning that there is a review going on right now of parole procedures. Boudin was denied parole just three months ago. The question is: Why was she let out now?
Boudin has been offered a job working at a Manhattan hospital. No indication as to whether she will take that -- Bill.
HEMMER: Deborah Feyerick, thanks, from New York.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
