Senior serial killer convicted again
NEW YORK (WABC) -- After one hour of deliberation, a jury convicted 87-year-old Harvey Marcelin of murder in the death and dismemberment of Susan Leyden.
Back in March of 20222, Marcelin was caught on a dollar store surveillance camera driving a motorized scooter while sitting on the severed leg of his victim.
It was the third time Marcelin has been convicted of killing a woman over the past six decades.
It caused many to question why the parolee was free to murder again in the first place.
7 On Your Side Investigates analyzed parole hearing transcripts over the past 60 years.
Back in 1963, Marcelin was sentenced to life in prison for shooting his girlfriend to death.
While behind bars, the sentencing laws changed and transcripts show Marcelin told a three panel parole board "it will never happen again" and they granted his parole.
Then, in October of 1985, after being free from prison for one year, police made a gruesome discovery in Central Park.
"We see the foot coming out of the bag, so we knew we had something bad here," said then officer Robert Boyce, who was one of the first officers to arrive at the scene.
Marcelin was convicted again and sent back to prison.
After spending more than 30 years behind bars, he had another parole hearing.
Despite a board member saying Marcelin is a "great danger to his community," they voted to release him anyway.
The New York Parole Board told Eyewitness News each case is different and they consider everything from statements made by victims' families to disciplinary records to perceived risk to the public safety when considering whether to release someone.
Now, at 87 years old, after a two week trial, a jury convicted Marcelin of killing Susan Leyden.
He'll be sentenced on June 10.
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