Convicted killer Edward Kindt to be released after violating parole

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A convicted killer who violated the terms of his parole will not be returning to prison. The New York State Parole Board has decided to let 41-year-old Edward Kindt remain a free man.

Kindt served more than 23 years in prison for the rape and murder of Penny Brown in Salamanca. The parole board granted Kindt freedom last year, but he then violated his parole.

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Penny Brown with her two daughters.

I spoke with one state legislator who is very critical of the state parole board.

“It’s just ridiculous that we have a parole board that lets monsters like Edward Kindt go free,” said New York State Senator George Borrello.

The state parole board released Kindt after a hearing last month on his probation violations.

Kindt was first released from prison last year after serving more than 23 years for the rape and murder of Penny Brown on Mother’s Day in 1999.

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This is the path in Salamanca where Penny Brown was murdered in 1999.

Last year I met one of Brown’s daughters, Bradleigh Brown, in Salamanca. She was just 10 when her mother was murdered.

“His record shows he has never shown any remorse for being a victim of prison violence and for using drugs,” Brown noted.

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Penny Brown’s daughter, Bradleigh Brown.

“What, if anything, did they tell you why they were going to let him go?” Buckley asked. “Nothing, absolutely nothing. They didn’t give any answers as to why this year would be the year,” Brown replied in 2023.

Due to Kindt’s objections, she was not allowed to return to Salamanca and was transferred to Dutchess County.

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Younger Edward Kindt after the murder.

However, he violated his parole twice and, according to the Buffalo News, came to Salamanca to visit his mother.

However, the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision released a statement saying Kindt would serve a seven-day sentence and then be returned to Dutchess County with a GPS monitor.

Borrello is outraged, however, to learn that parole board members voted to release him.

“In the case of Edward Kindt, two of the ‘yes’ voters were from the New York area. One western New Yorker on the parole board voted ‘no’ on his release,” Borrello explained.

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Republican State Senator George Borrello.

Borrello is now proposing a bill to make parole boards accountable.

If a member of a parole organization votes to be released, then the parolee will be sent to a place of residence near them.

“If they make this decision with the belief that a monster like Edward Kindt can safely return to our communities, then they should be okay with finding that person in their community, alongside their friends and family, and that is exactly what my bill will do,” Borrello said.

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Senator George Borrello’s bill.

“When, if ever, do you expect to see this legislation before the legislature?” Buckley asked. “Well, we’ll try to do it in January, in the new session. I think now is the time,” Borrello replied. “Any Democratic colleague who has any concerns about public safety and common sense — join me in this fight for parole reform.”

During a visit to western New York last month, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Kindt’s violation was “unacceptable.”

“The family did not deserve this stress. I’m saying this now and I want to get to the bottom of this,” Gov. Hochul said.