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Another Murder, Another "So What?"


State Victim Advocate Michelle Cruz released the statement below following the arrest of Kezlyn Mendez on a charge of murder. It all sounds vaguely familiar and parallels closely a murder in Meriden, an account of which may be found by clicking on the link provided here.
State Victim Advocate Michelle Cruz is appealing once again to the Governor’s Office and the Commissioner of the Department of Correction to immediately suspend the risk reduction earned credit program.
“The Office of the Victim Advocate has learned that the defendant arrested for the tragic murder of Luthfur Tarafdar in East Hartford, CT had a lengthy criminal history of violence, unsuccessful probation terms and has been identified by the Department of Correction as an inmate that was released early as a result of the risk reduction earned credit program,”stated Cruz. “This is another case that highlights the need to immediately suspend the risk reduction earned credit program (RREC) until the program can be adequately evaluated to address issues, including the awarding of RREC and compliance with inmates’ offender accountability plans, as well as to ensure that appropriate supervision measures are in place to monitor the masses being released into our communities.”
“At this point, this is about more than the RREC; this is about the manner in which the criminal justice system is responding to repeat violent offenders and those who habitually violate probation,” said Cruz. “Kezlynn Mendez, also known as Willie Batts, had a lengthy criminal history and was charged with violating probation twice, yet still, he was not held accountable for his criminal behavior,” added Cruz.
Kezlynn Mendez was convicted of Robbery 2nd and Assault 3rd on January 18, 2006. He was sentenced to 10 years, suspended after 4 years and 5 years probation. In July of 2010, in addition to new criminal cases, he was arrested and charged with violation of probation. He later admitted to violating probation and was sentenced to 6 years, suspended after 1 year; 2 years probation. He again was arrested for new criminal charges and again charged with violating probation on December 6, 2011. Less than 3 months before his release from the Department of Correction, he admitted to violating that probation and was sentenced to 5 years, suspended after 4 months; 18 months probation. In addition to that 4 month sentence, he received a 30 day sentence for Reckless Driving and a 3 month sentence for Threatening. It is unclear why this defendant’s sentences are reduced as his behavior escalates.
“This defendant has demonstrated his inability to comply with probation as well as his propensity to commit crime. He should have been identified as a high risk offender. How many more innocent people will be victimized before this program’s faults will be addressed?” pleaded Cruz.
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Comments

Laurel O'Keefe said…
Thank you Don for following up on the continous cascade of violent crime emanating from the risk reduction early release that is so reminiscent of the mike lawloresque debaucle that preceded three seperate multi murders in 2007 all committed by recently paroled felons-Each one of those offenders worse than the next insofar as inappropriateness for early parole and reduced sentences.

The reasons for these dangerous programs are rife with issues that have nothing to do with public safety. Since Malloy has taken goverborship cONNECTICUT RESIDENTS ARE NO LONGER PROTECTED BY THE QUASI BALANCE THAT THE traditonally republican held governorship offerred us. And on top of tis weve got an ego maniac who doesnt give a hoot about violent crime as considers himself immune to its effects.
11:49 PM
mccommas said…
There will be more unless they suspend.
2:54 PM
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