The Associated Press
CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP, Michigan- A corrections chief apologized Thursday to a man whose son was among three people murdered by a convict who had been mistakenly released from prison.
“We live with what we do every day,” Corrections Director Patricia Caruso told Raymond Berels during a House subcommittee meeting investigating loopholes in the U.S. state’s parole system.
Patrick Selepak, 27, was arrested in November on parole violation charges after a former girlfriend accused him of assault, but he was mistakenly set free in January.
He tortured and killed Scott Berels and his pregnant wife, Melissa, on Feb. 15. He also killed Winfield Johnson Jr., 53, on Feb. 21.
Raymond Berels blasted the department’s handling of the case.
“This department violated its basic duty to the citizens of this state when it released this monster,” he said.
Selepak pleaded guilty to murder in all three slayings. He was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole. His girlfriend pleaded not guilty.
Several parole workers were disciplined for the mistake that set Selepak free, and the Corrections Department changed its policies.