• Welcome
    • Purpose
    • Statement of Faith
    • Prayer Request
  • My Apology
  • TESTIMONY
    • English
    • Chinese Translation
    • Dutch Translation
    • French Translation
    • German Translation
    • Hebrew Translation
    • Italian Translation
    • Portuguese Translation
    • Russian Translation
    • Spanish Translation
    • Turkish Translation
  • READY OR NOT...
    • 22 Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled From the Tanakh
    • The Rapture
  • My Story - Videos
    • My Life Story Video - "In His Own Words"
    • Video Interviews
    • Written Interviews
    • Son of Hope Gospel Tracts
  • Journal
    • 2023 >
      • January 2023
      • *February 2023
    • 2022 >
      • January 2022
      • February 2022
      • March 2022
      • April 2022
      • May 2022
      • June 2022
      • July 2022
      • August 2022
      • September 2022
      • October 2022
      • November 2022
      • December 2022
    • 2021 >
      • January 2021
      • February 2021
      • March 2021
      • April 2021
      • May 2021
      • June 2021
      • July 2021
      • August 2021
      • September 2021
      • October 2021
      • November 2021
      • December 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017-2005
    • 2004-2003
  • Updates
  • For Parents, Teens, and Students
    • General Advice for Parents
    • Advice For Troubled Teens
    • Stopping Teen Violence
    • School Projects
    • Jailhouse Interview
    • A Letter to David from Youth Minister Dan Bailey
    • Suicide is Everyone's Business
    • What is Prison All About?
  • For Satanists
    • A Letter to a Satanist
    • Satan's Bible
    • Famous Satanists' Last Words - Quotes
    • Carl Sartor's Story
    • A Satanist Has a Vision
    • Jailhouse Interview
  • A Letter to a Soldier
  • Ministry Tools
  • Jesus Christ, the True Treasure and Pearl of Great Price!
  • Insights and Miscellaneous
    • A Letter to North Shore Baptist Church
    • Parole Hearing Transcript 2016
    • He Knows Your Name
  • Inspirational Testimonies
  • Friends
  • Contact
  • Welcome
    • Purpose
    • Statement of Faith
    • Prayer Request
  • My Apology
  • TESTIMONY
    • English
    • Chinese Translation
    • Dutch Translation
    • French Translation
    • German Translation
    • Hebrew Translation
    • Italian Translation
    • Portuguese Translation
    • Russian Translation
    • Spanish Translation
    • Turkish Translation
  • READY OR NOT...
    • 22 Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled From the Tanakh
    • The Rapture
  • My Story - Videos
    • My Life Story Video - "In His Own Words"
    • Video Interviews
    • Written Interviews
    • Son of Hope Gospel Tracts
  • Journal
    • 2023 >
      • January 2023
      • *February 2023
    • 2022 >
      • January 2022
      • February 2022
      • March 2022
      • April 2022
      • May 2022
      • June 2022
      • July 2022
      • August 2022
      • September 2022
      • October 2022
      • November 2022
      • December 2022
    • 2021 >
      • January 2021
      • February 2021
      • March 2021
      • April 2021
      • May 2021
      • June 2021
      • July 2021
      • August 2021
      • September 2021
      • October 2021
      • November 2021
      • December 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017-2005
    • 2004-2003
  • Updates
  • For Parents, Teens, and Students
    • General Advice for Parents
    • Advice For Troubled Teens
    • Stopping Teen Violence
    • School Projects
    • Jailhouse Interview
    • A Letter to David from Youth Minister Dan Bailey
    • Suicide is Everyone's Business
    • What is Prison All About?
  • For Satanists
    • A Letter to a Satanist
    • Satan's Bible
    • Famous Satanists' Last Words - Quotes
    • Carl Sartor's Story
    • A Satanist Has a Vision
    • Jailhouse Interview
  • A Letter to a Soldier
  • Ministry Tools
  • Jesus Christ, the True Treasure and Pearl of Great Price!
  • Insights and Miscellaneous
    • A Letter to North Shore Baptist Church
    • Parole Hearing Transcript 2016
    • He Knows Your Name
  • Inspirational Testimonies
  • Friends
  • Contact
AriseandShine.org

Parole Hearing Transcript 2016

david_berkowitz_parole_hearing_transcript_5-17-16.pdf
File Size: 5556 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1                                                 
​                                                     David   Berkowitz  DIN  #78  A  1976  NYSID                                 

                                                                                                     
    1.
    2.              NYS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND COMMUNITY SUPERVISION
    3.  ......................…………………………………………………………………………......................................................
    4.                                                                      Parole Board Interview
    5.                                                                                 in the matter
    6.                                                                                           of
    7.
    8.                                                                           David Berkowitz
    9.                                                                      DIN  78 A 1976  NYSID
  10.  …………………………………………………………………………………....
  11.  TYPE OF INTERVIEW:                    Reappearance.
  12.  LOCATION:                        Shawangunk Correctional Facility
  13.                                                      Video-Conferenced to  NYS-DOCCS
  14.                                                      20 Manchester  Road
  15.                                                      Poughkeepsie, New York
  16.  DATE:                                     May 17, 2016
           DECISION DATE:            May 17, 2016
  17.  BEFORE:                               COMMISSIONER LUDLOW   
                                                               COMMISSIONER ELOVICH
  18.                                                      COMMISSIONER THOMPSON
  19.  ALSO PRESENT:               A. TOMLIN, SORC
                                                               C. DENNISTON, ORC

  20.
  21.  AT FACILITY:                      S. KOBER, ORC
  22.  
  23.  HEARING REPORTER:    Lori  Ciofalo
  24.
  25.
                                                          Schmieder  &  Meister, Inc.(845) 452-1988
                                                                                                     2
                                                         David Berkowitz   DIN   #78  A 1976  NYSID       

                                 
  1.  COMM. LUDLOW:   Good morning, Sir
  2.  THE INMATE:              Good morning.
  3.  COMM. LUDLOW:   Sir, you are David   Berkowitz?
  4.  THE INMATE:              I can’t  hear anything  I’m
  5.  sorry.
  6.   COMM. LUDLOW:  You can hear us now?
  7.  THE INMATE                Yes Sir.  Yes, Sir. Good morning. Good
  8.   morning.
  9.   COMM.LUDLOW:   There is some noise in the background.
  10.   What is that?
  11.   ORC Kober:                   It’s the fan for the computer,
  12.   Sir, for the system.
  13.   COMM LUDLOW:     You can’t tone that down?
  14.   ORC KOBER:                 It’s part of the TV system.
  15.   COMM. LUDLOW:     We don’t have it on this end
  16.    I’ve never heard that anywhere in the State.  There
  17.    must be something wrong with that equipment.
  18.    Mr. Berkowitz, can you hear me OK?
  19.   THE  INMATE:                Yes I can, Sir.
  20.   COMM. LUDLOW:      Sir, you are David Berkowitz,
  21.   correct?
  22.   THE INMATE:                 Yes, Sir.
  23.   COMM LUDLOW:       Mr. Berkowitz, I am
  24.   Commissioner Ludlow,   with me Commissioner Elovich,
  25.   Commissioner Thompson.
                                                    Schmiester   &   Meister,  Inc.  (845) 452 1988
                                                                                                      3             
                                                  DAVID  BERKOWITZ    DIN #78  A1976  NYSID    

  1.  COMM.   ELOVICH:         Good morning.
  2.  COMM.  THOMPSON:   Good morning.
  3.  THE   INMATE:                     Good morning.
  4. INTERVIEW   BY  COMMISSIONER  LUDLOW:
  5. Q.  Mr. Berkowitz, this appears to  be your fifteenth
  6.  appearance before the Board of Parole; is that correct,
  7.   Sir?
  8.   A.  I believe it’s my eighth.  Eight, I think, Sir.
  9.   Eighth?  It looks like fifteen to me.   You did 
  10.   have some refusals interspersed, but in terms of actual,
  11.   physical, appearances before the Board of Parole,  this
  12.   appears to be number fifteen.
  13.   A. Okay, then you might be correct, sir. In that
  14.   case, yes.
  15.   Q.  Is that correct or not?  You should know.
  16.    I believe so.  I kinda lost count, to  be honest
  17.    with you.
  18.    Okay, that is what it appears to be to me.
  19.    You are sixty- two- years old is that correct,
  20.    now?
  21.    A.  Yes, that’s correct.
  22.    Q.  Can you hear me okay?
  23.    A. Yes I can.
  24.    Q.  Okay, thank you.  You were convicted out of, it
  25.    appears to be, all of the boroughs of the City of New
 
                                                    Schmieder  &  Meister, Inc.    (845)  452 1988
                                                                                                      4
                                                     David  Berkowitz    DIN   78 A 1976    NYSID
                                                
      1.    York, except Staten Island; is that correct?
      2.     A.  Yes, Staten Island and Manhattan.  Nothing
      3.     happened there.
      4.     Q.  So you were convicted out of three boroughs:  is
      5.     that right?
      6.     A. Yes, Sir, yes.
      7.     Q.  Okay. And you were convicted of approximately,
      8.     well, it appears to be twenty-one  various  convictions,
      9.     involving Murder, Second,  Attempted Murder Second,
    10.    Assault First, Criminal Possession of a Weapon, and
    11.    there are other similar convictions here, some of which
    12.    have multiple counts. 
    13.    The controlling sentence is twenty-five to life;
    14.     is that correct, Sir?
    15.     A. Yes, Commissioner, Yes.
    16.     Q. You’ve been in a long time, Mr. Berkowitz.   We
    17.     certainly recognize that.  We are cognizant  of  that
    18.     point.
    19.     It appears as though you have been in close to
    20.     thirty-seven years, in State prison; is that correct?
    21.     A.  I believe it is closer to thirty-nine, all
    22.     together. I was arrested in 1977, and I came upstate in
    23.     1978. Say about maybe thirty-nine years, or close to
    24.      it, if I’m correct.
    25.      Q. These convictions appear to be your only felonies
 
                                                      Schmieder  &  Meister,  Inc.   (845)  452 1988
                                                                                                      5

                                                        David Berkowitz   DIN  78  A  1976   NYSID                         

  1.    of record;  is that correct?
  2.    A.  Yes, that’s correct.
  3.    Q.  Otherwise stated,  do you have any prior felony
  4.    convictions?
  5.    A.  No, no.
  6.    Q.  Do you have any convictions out of State, sir?
  7.    A.  No, sir.
  8.    Q.  Okay.  Now, we do have sentencing  Minutes on
  9.    file, Queen’s County, State Supreme Court, June 12th
  10.   1978, before  Judge  Tsoucalas.
  11.    You at the time, were represented by  Mr. Leon
  12.    Stern and Ira Jultak; is that correct?
  13.    A.  Yes.
  14.    Q.  The minutes are on file and are a part of the
  15.     record.
  16.    We have the COMPAS  Risk Assessment on file.  The
  17.   COMPAS  Risk Assessment is a tool  that we use to assist
  18.   Us in complying with Executive Law 259 C4, which
  19.   requires the Board of Parole  to conduct a risk and needs
  20.   assessment,  as a measure of your rehabilitation for
  21.   re-entry into the community.
  22.   In your case the computer assessment  has you at a
  23.   low risk of felony violence, a low risk of arrest, and a
  24.   low risk of absconding taking off from parole.
  25.   If on parole, would you anticipate presenting as
                                   
                                                     Schmieder   &  Meister,   Ink.   (845)  457 1988
                                                                                                      6
                                                         David Berkowitz   DID 78  A  1976    NYSID                         

  1.   a low risk to the public safety, as suggested by this
  2.   computer analysis, or something else?  What are your
  3.   thoughts, sir?
  4.   A.  I feel I am no risk, whatsoever.
  5.   My criminal past was a terrible tragedy.  By the
  6.   grace of God, I want to have that behind me now. 
  7.   I really didn’t come here to seek parole. More
  8.   than anything, I came here just to talk with you.  I
  9.   have some things in my heart to share.  But I understand
  10.   this is a parole hearing and you have your formalities,
  11.   and that’s fine.
  12.   Q.  This is indeed a parole interview.  As such, the
  13.   Board of Parole is  required, by Executive Law, to
  14.   consider various factors,  and we certainly want to
  15.   comply fully with the Executive Law, which governs the
  16.    operation of the Board of Parole.  Do you understand
  17.    that, sir?
  18.    A. Oh, of course, absolutely.
  19.    Q.  Now, in that regard, we have a Case Plan on file.
  20.    The Case Plan is a statement of goals,  tasks and
  21.    activities.
  22.    Among the goals  identified in the  Case Plan:
  23.    Improve problem-solving skills, spend more time
  24.    volunteering. These are the goals identified in the
  25.    Case Plan.
 
                                                           Schmieder &  Meister  Inc.  (845) 452 1988
                                                                                                      7
                                                          David  Berkowitz   BIN  78   A  1976    NYSID                      

  1.    Have you made progress with regards to either or
  2.    Both of these goals, sir?
  3.    A.  Yes, I have, sure.
  4.    Q.   What have you done in that regard?
  5.    A.   Well, I continue to go forward with my life I
  6.    do a lot of good things.
  7.    When I was in Sullivan Correctional Facility I
  8.    was there for more than twenty-eight years.
  9.    Twenty-eight plus years.  And I was a caregiver.  I
  10.    worked with mental health inmates.   I worked with
  11.    sight-impaired inmates.
  12.    I was a chapel clerk and I helped run chapel services. I would
  13.    oversee chapel services, and I would
  14.    do Bible studies. I was  constantly putting myself out
  15.    there to help individuals, with kindness and 
  16.    compassion.
  17.    I mean, I feel that’s my life’s calling, all
  18.    these years.  My evaluations, and so forth, should show
  19.    that to be true.  I’ve done a lot of good and positive
  20.    things and I thank God for that.
  21.    Q.   That’s certainly to your credit.  We will take
  22.     that into consideration.
  23.     With regard to the instant offenses,  the record
  24.     indicates that you caused the deaths of six individuals,
  25.     in the various boroughs we discussed.  You also wounded,
 
                                                          Schneider &  Meister, Inc., (845) 452, 1988
                                                                                                      8
                                                          David  Berkowitz   DIN  78 A 1976   NYSID             
      
  1.     in a serious way, several other victims.
  2.     You have what appears to be a grand total of
  3.     thirteen victims, here,  six of whom you killed;  is that
  4.     all correct?
  5.     A.  Yes, yes, that is correct.
  6.     Unfortunately, it was a terrible tragedy. I
  7.     regret that with all my heart. I would  do  anything if
  8.     I could ever change that.
  9.     But that’s part of the past, and there is nothing 
  10.     I could do but grieve.  I have a lot of pain in my life
  11.     over all that happened.    
  12.     Q. There is commentary in the file to the effect
  13.    that you virtually  paralyzed the City of New York from
  14.    July 29th, 1976 through July 31st, 1977.
  15.    What  do you have  to  say  about  that  comment, 
  16.    any response?
  17.    A.  I am deeply sorry for all that  has happened  I
  18.     I believe I was not in my right mind at the time. I take
  19.     full responsibility, and I just regret it.
  20.     It was a time that my life was out of control.
  21.     I’d do anything if I could go back and change that, but
  22.     it’s impossible to go back into the past and fix those
  23.     kinds of things.
  24.     Q. There is an indication on the file, Mr.
  25.     Berkowitz,  that you told the staff, something to the
                                                      Shmieder & Meister,  Inc.       (845) 452 1988
                                                                                                      9
                                                         Davis Berkowitz    DIN  78 A 1976   NYSID                  

  1.    effect, and I quote,  “The hearing process, meaning the
  2.    parole hearing process, is painful, and that you believe
  3.    parole is not realistic, and you are reportedly content
  4.    to do the best that you can in prison” end quote.
  5.    A.  Yes.
  6.    Q.  Did you make that statement or something similar?
  7.    A.  Yes.  Yes.
  8.    Q.  Would you care to elaborate on that, Sir?
  9.     Specifically,  the statement that,  quote,  “parole is not
  10.     realistic”.
  11.     Did you make that statement, and would you care
  12.     to elaborate on that specifically?
  13.     A.  Well, I feel that the crimes were so serious and
  14.     the damage so severe, and so many  people I’m sure are
  15.     still hurting and grieving, that realistically,
  16.     something like parole, in my situation,  would be very
  17.     unusual.
  18.     I wish things were different,  but I’m just being
  19.     realistic.  Reality, sometimes, can be painful, but I
  20.     have to deal with what it is.  You know?
  21.     Q.  We understand, and we appreciate your perspective
  22.     in that regard.
  23.     With respect to discipline, the file indicates
  24.     that you have had no disciplinary issues since November
  25.     of 2004; is that correct, sir?
                                                        Schmieder &  Meister  Inc.   (845)  452  1988
                                                                                                     10

                                                     David   Berkowitz    DIN   78  A   1976       NYSID                       
  1.      A.  I believe so, yes.
  2.      Q.  In the event you are paroled, do you have any
  3.      plan on where to live, sir?   Do you have any release
  4.      plan or concept of where you might reside?
  5.      A.  Not at this time, no.  Not at this time.
  6.      Q.   So it would appear that if you were released you
  7.      would need a shelter of some kind.  Is that your 
  8.      understanding?
  9.      A.  Well, I’d probably need someplace to live.  If
  10.      that were ever the case, I have a few very good friends,
  11.      and people who are ministers, outstanding members of
  12.      society,  who would take me in and afford me a place to
  13.      live.
  14.      I’m just saying, if that were ever the case, I
  15.      have many things to fall back on, if that were a
  16.      reality.
  17.      Q.  I understand. Thank you.
  18.      In terms of work.  If on parole, you have
  19.      identified working in ministry, involving counseling of
  20.      youth.
  21.      We also note that  you have reportedly achieved an
  22.      Associate Degree in Business Administration.  Is that
  23.      accurate, sir?
  24.      A. Yes that is, yes.
  25.      Q.  From what institution and when was that?
 
                                                   Schnieder &  Miester     Inc.     (845)  452  1988
                                                                                                     11
                                                   David   Berkowitz   DIN   78   A   1976    NYSID            

  1.    A.  I graduated Sullivan Community College, with a
  2.    two-year degree in Business Administration, and I
  3.    graduated with two honors.
  4.    Q.  That’s  indeed to your credit, and we will
  5.    consider that as such.
  6.    (redacted)
  7.    (redacted) That indicates that you are,
  8.    currently,  (redacted)  is
  9.    that accurate?
  10.    A.  Yes, sir, that’s accurate.
  11.    Q.  The  file  further indicates that  in April of 1993
  12.    you were classified  (redacted)
  13.    (redacted)
  14.    We do have a (redacted) on file.  You
  15.    were reportedly seen as recently as February 8th, 2016
  16.    by the (redacted).
  17.    That report indicates that you are not (redacted)
  18.    (redacted)
  19.     is that correct?
  20.     A.  Yes, sir, that’s correct.
  21.     Q.  The report  further indicates that you are not,
  22.     currently  participating in any (redacted)
  23.      (redacted).  Is that correct, as well?
  24.      A.  Yes, that’s correct.
  25.      Q.  In terms of a diagnosis, the reports states, and I
                                                        Schmieder & Meister   Inc.  (845) 452  1088
                                                                                                     12

                                                        David   Berkowitz  DIN   78   A   1976    NYSID        

  1.      quote, “None”.  Are you sure of that?
  2.      A.  I am aware of it, now.  I didn’t  see the report,
  3.      until you just revealed that.
  4.      Q.  In terms of recommended treatment, and I quote,
  5.      from the report, “there are no recommendations from a
  6.      (redacted)  standpoint, at present” end quote.  Are
  7.      you aware of that?
  8.      A.  Well. I am, now,  that you read that to me, and I
  9.      thank God for that.
  10.      Q. This is a report of social worker Osmen Yildiz,
  11.      Social Worker 2
  12.      Is this report accurate and current in terms of
  13.      the sections that I’ve read, in your opinion?
  14.      A.  Yes, yes.
  15.      Q. Now, in terms of programs, the file  indicates
  16.       that over your period of incarceration, which you
  17.       identified as thirty-nine years, you have completed all
  18.       mandatory programs,  you’ve completed in the college
  19.       Program, as specified a moment ago;  is that correct,
  20.       sir?
  21.       A.  Yes, sir, that’s correct.
  22.       Q.  In terms of programming, is there anything, in
  23.       particular, that you wish to cite for the panel’s particular
  24.       attention?
  25.       A.  Well, as I said, for many years I have worked as
 
                                                       Schmieder & Meister  Inc.   (845)  452   1988
                                                                                                      13
                                                     David  Berkowitz     DIN   78   A   1876     NYSID      

  1.      I guess you could say, just like a caregiver.
  2.      I have a heart  for helping and reaching out to
  3.      inmates, offenders,  who have psychiatric problems, who
  4.      have a lot of depression, and things like that.
  5.      For more than twenty years, when I was at
  6.      Sullivan, I worked with the inmates who were in the
  7.      mental health block, the Intermediate Care Program. The
  8.      staff there really liked me, and they trusted me. 
  9.      Even though I lived in general population, all my
  10.      time at Sullivan, I mingled freely with these men.
  11.      The staff asked me to talk to certain men, who
  12.      seemed depressed, who were going through different
  13.      things.  So I feel that’s my calling in life.
  14.      Also for a number of years, I worked as a
  15.      mobility guide for the sight impaired.
  16.      I also worked as a chapel clerk, and that also
  17.      entailed ministering to the men. Sometimes it was
  18.      leading the worship services, opening the worship services in
  19.      prayer. Sometimes, even preaching the message when the
  20.      guests don’t show.
  21.      The chaplaincy staff, as well as the officers in
  22.      the chapel, trusted me, completely, to be around the
  23.      volunteers. The men and women would come in, and I
  24.      would sit with them and work with them. 
  25.      So I really just count my blessings.  I’ve
 
                                                      Schnieder &  Meister, Inc     (845)  452  1988
                                                                                                    14
                                                   David  Berkowitz     DIN   78   A   1976       NYSID         
  
  1.     really done wonderful. Considering all the things in my
  2.     situation, I did excellent at Sullivan, and I was
  3.     thankful for those opportunities.
  4.     Q.  That service is much to your credit.  We will
  5.     consider that as such in our deliberations.
  6.     The panel does note official opposition to your
  7.     release on file.  The panel also notes consistent 
  8.     community opposition to your release, as well, which
  9.     will also be considered among the myriad of factors that
  10.     the Executive Law requires us to examine.
  11.     A.  Sure.
  12.     COMM.  LUDLOW:   Commissioner Elovich?
  13.     COMM. ELOVICH:   Just a couple of questions.
  14.     BY  COMMISSIONER ELOVICH:
  15.     Q.   Why were you transferred from  Sullivan to
  16.      Shawangunk, if you know?
  17.      A.  I don’t know.   I can only speculate that it was
  18.      because of the new way of doing things, after the two
  19.       inmates escaped from Clinton.
  20.       I did very well in Sullivan. On April 12th of
  21.       this year, the officer told me,  “Hey, we got a call from
  22.       Draft  Processing, that you have to pack up, that you are the
  23.       transfer.”
  24.       It was a shock to  everybody; including the
  25.       officer, in the cell block, where I lived for many years,
 
                                                      Schmeider    &   Meister   Inc.    (845)  452   1088
                                                                                                     15
                                                       David Berkowitz   DIN    78  A   1976      NYSID            

  1.       he knew me.
  2.       That was it.  They just put me, on a transfer, in
  3.       a van, and sent me to Shawangunk. I don’t know.  It was
  4.        just instant. I did very well at Sullivan.
  5.       Q.  One more question. When Commissioner Ludlow had
  6.       questioned you about the instant offense, you said you
  7.       were not in your right state of mind. 
  8.       To what do you attribute the execution of six
  9.        innocent people and the shooting of another seven
  10.        innocent people”  Where did that rage come from?
  11.        A.   Ma’am, I’ll be frank.  I  just---I can’t even
  12.        explain that. I can’t put that into words. It’s beyond
  13.        my comprehension.
  14.        I look back with—like—so much disbelief.  There
  15.        there are times that I wake up and say I can’t believe this
  16.        happened.
  17.        I just don’t understand it.  It’s something
  18.        painful that happened that I have to deal with.  It
  19.        happened.
  20.        I can’t put everything into a couple of
  21.        sentences.   I don’t know.  I don’t know.  I’m sorry.
  22.        I’m sorry.
  23.       COMM.  LUDLOW:   Commissioner Thompson?
  24.       COMM.  THOMPSON:  No further questions.
  25.       Thank you.
                                                   Schneider   &  Meister   INC.     (845)  453   1988
                                                                                                     16
                                                    David  Berkowitz    DIN    78  A  1976       NYSID         

  1.       COMM.   LUDLOW:   Commissioner Elovich,
  2.       anything additional?
  3.       COMM. ELOVICH:  Nothing additional.  Thank
  4.       you.
  5.       CONTINUED  BY  COMMISSIONER LUDLOW:
  6.       Q.  Mr.  Berkowitz, anything additional, that’s
  7.        important to you, sir, that you wish to apprise the
  8.        panel, before we close the interview, sir?
  9.        A.  I do have something that I wrote.  It’s a
  10.        two-page letter that I prepared. I even typed it up
  11.        last night.
  12.       Would it  be possible for me to just read this to
  13.       you, for your own information?
  14.       Q.  Yes, we will let you read that, sir.
  15.       If you wish  to submit the actual letter, in its
  16.       entirety, I would ask you to have our good staff  at
  17.       Shawangunk, fax that over to us, and we will incorporate
  18.       It into the record here.  Go ahead.
  19.       A.  Yes, I would like that very much.  Thank you.
  20.       This is a letter to the Parole Board.  I composed this last night,
  21.        in my cell,  and then with my
  22.        typewriter.  I just put it together.
  23.       Q.  We do have a certified stenographic reporter in
  24.        the room with us.  This is a verbatim record.  I would
  25.        ask you to read at the proper speed so that the record
 
                                                    Schmieder   &   Meister    Inc.    (845) 452  1988
                                                                                                     17
                                                          David Berkowitz   78   A   1976        NYSID             

  1.       can be made clear. Thank you.
  2.       A. Thank you. Okay.  I will.  I’ll try.
  3.       The letter to the Parole  Board:  “Thank you for
  4.       allowing me the opportunity to present this letter to
  5.       you and to speak on this matter.
  6.       Since my arrival at Sullivan Correctional Facility, some
  7.       twenty-eight plus years ago, I do believe that in the course of
  8.       time, I have been able to be a help to both the
  9.       facility’s staff, and the inmates. 
  10.       For example, I was trained as an 'Inmate Program Aide'
  11.      (IPA), and performed as something of a peer counselor.
  12.       for those who were housed in the E-North’s 'Intermediate
  13.      Care Program' (ICP) for various mental health and
  14.      psychiatric reasons; I lived in the  prison’s general
  15.      population, but worked in the 64-man ICP Unit  on 
  16.      weekdays where I cared for these men.
  17.      In addition, I have spent time working as a
  18.    'sighted guide' escorting and assisting  those of the
  19.     Sensorian Disabled Unit where those that are legally
  20.     blind needed daily help.  I also worked as the
  21.     chaplain’s assistant and as the chapel clerk for many
  22.     years.  My responsibilities included  everything from 
  23.     doing all kinds of paperwork, setting things up for the
  24.     services, and helping to coordinate those services when
  25.     I was asked to do so.  I was also present to welcome and
                                                     Schmieder   &   Meister   Inc.     (845) 452  1988
                                                                                                     18

                                                     David  Berkowitz   DIN   78   A   1276      NYSID             

  1.     accompany all of the civilian ministerial volunteers,
  2.     and to even sit alongside them when necessary. The
  3.     chaplaincy and correctional staff having no qualms
  4.     allowing me to help watch over the men and women, who
  5.     regularly visited our chapel as guests. 
  6.     In all the years I was housed at Sullivan there was
  7.     never a serious problem with the volunteers. Clearly
  8.     the staff never viewed me as a risk or a threat, nor as
  9.     a potential security problem.  Had they done so,
  10.     obviously, I would never have been permitted to function
  11.     In such a capacity.
  12.     I believe that throughout the years I’ve spent at
  13.     Sullivan Correctional Facility, I was able with God’s
  14.     help, to do many good and beneficial things, both for my
  15.     fellow offenders, and for the staff as well.  As a
  16.    Christian and caregiver, I have counseled and prayed
  17.    with countless men, some who have lost a loved one or
  18.    were despairing over the news of a very sick family
  19.    member.  While others were despondent at having lost 
  20.    contact with someone whom they were once very close to.  I
  21.    made sure I was available to help anyone who requested
  22.    prayer or advice. I tried to be there for those who
  23.    were depressed.
  24.    While in my free time I would write letters and messages
  25.    with spiritual themes,  which, I believe, have provided
 
                                                  Shmieder  &  Meister    Inc.         (845)  452    1988
                                                                                                     19
                                                    David   Berkowitz  DIN   78  A  1976        NYSID     

  1.    hope and inspiration from all walks of 
  2.    life. I have written extensively on such subjects as
  3.    forgiveness, redemption, and persevering under difficult
  4.    circumstances, as well as on the need to discourage gun
  5.    violence.
  6.    Not that any of this means anything overall.  But I hope
  7.    it does show the members of the parole board that I have
  8.    devoted my life to doing good.  That the staff at
  9.    Sullivan considered me to be trustworthy, dependable, and
  10.    respectful. For this I am most thankful. I especially
  11.    thank God for changing my life and making all this
  12.    possible.
  13.    I likewise hope to continue to do good in the future,
  14.    even if I have to take my last dying breath behind
  15.    prison walls. I want to continue to be something of a
  16.    role model for my fellow inmates, as well as a source of
  17.    hope and inspiration to whomever I can. Thank you!
  18.    Respectfully, David  Berkowitz, Dated May 17th,  2016.”
  19.    Thank you for allowing me to share this, sir.  I
  20.    appreciate that.
  21.    Q.   You’re welcome, sir.  Thank you for making that
  22.    statement.  We certainly hope that you are sincere with
  23.    respect to the entirety of that statement
  24.    A.  Okay, thank you.
  25.    Q.  Mr. Berkowitz, we have attempted to give you a
                                                   
                                                     Schmieder   &   Meitzer   Inc.    (845)  452  1998

                                                                                                     20
                                                   David  Berkowitz    DIN   78   A   1976    NYSID     

                 
  1.     full, fair, and accurate interview today. In your
  2.     opinion, sir, have you received that?
  3.     A.  Yes, I have.  Thank you.
  4.     COMM. LUDLOW:   We will close the interview.
  5.     we will advise you in writing in due course
  6.     Hopefully, we will strive to bring  all of our
  7.     consideration to the forefront, to fully comply with the 
  8.     Executive Law that is imposed on the Board of Parole
  9.    Thank you, sir.
  10.    THE INMATE:  Sure. Okay. I’ll furnish a
  11.    copy of the letter to you, just for general filing or
  12.    whatever.  I wish all of you a good day.
  13.    COMM.  LUDLOW:  We will incorporate that in
  14.    the actual record.  Thank you, sir.
  15.    INMATE:   Okay, thank you.
                           (Interview concluded.)
         
                                                           Schmieder   &  Meister  Inc     ((845)   452   1988

                                                                                                                21
                                                              David   Berkowitz    DIN   78   A  1976    NYSID    

 

  1.                                                             
  2.    (After due deliberation by the Parole Board Panel,   
  3.     the following decision was rendered:)       
  4.                                                              
  5.                                          DECISION
  6.                                              
  7.    David Berkowitz, parole is denied.  Hold 24 months
  8.    Next appearance, May 2018.
  9.    Following careful review and deliberation of your
  10.    record and interview, the Panel concludes that
  11.    discretionary release is not presently warranted due to
  12.    concern for the public safety and welfare.
  13.    The following factors are properly weighed and
  14.    considered; your instant offenses in the City of New
  15.    York, from July 1976  to July 1977, involved you
  16.    causing the death of six victims and wounding seven
  17.    other individuals.
  18.    Your criminal history indicates the instant
  19.    offenses to be your only felony of record.
  20.    Your institutional programming indicates progress
  21.     and achievement, which is noted to your credit.
  22.    Your disciplinary record appears clean, since your
  23.     prior appearance.
  24.    You virtually paralyzed the city of New York for 
  25.     for one year, from July 1974 to July 1977.
 
                                                 Schmieder  &   Meister   Inc.  (845)   452    1988
                                                                                                      22
                                                     David  Berkowitz   DIN   78   A  1976      NYSID       

  1.     The panel notes current official opposition to your
  2.      release. The panel also notes consistent community
  3.      opposition to your release.
  4.      Required statutory factors have been considered;
  5.      including your risk to the community, rehabilitation
  6.      efforts, and a needs for successful  community
  7.      re-entry.
  8.     Your discretionary release, at this time, would
  9.      thus not be compatible with the welfare of society at
  10.      large, and would tend to deprecate the seriousness of
  11.      the Instant Offenses, and undermine respect for the law.
                   (All commissioners concur)
     

                                                      Schmieder   &  Meister   Inc.   (845) 452   1988

                                                                                                     23
                                                   David  Berkowitz   DIN   78   A   1976          NYSID 

 
  1.                                                                        
  2.    CERTIFICATION                       
  3.                                                                                    
  4.     I, Lori Ciofalo, Court Reporter and Notary Public,
  5.     in and for the State of New York, do hereby certify that
  6.     I attended the foregoing proceedings, took stenographic
  7.    Notes of the same,  and that the forgoing, consisting of
  8.    23 pages, is a true and correct copy of the same, and
  9.    Whole thereof.                                                                
  10.                                                                                  
  11.                                                                         Lori  Ciofalo
  12.                                                                         Lori  Ciofalo, Court Reporter
  13.                                                                         Dated”   May 17,   2016
Proudly powered by Weebly