Leave 'Blind Faith' killer in prison, sons say
TRENTON, N.J. — The eldest son of Robert and Maria Marshall was blunt when he addressed the New Jersey Parole Board on Wednesday, arguing that his father should remain in prison for the murder of his mother for the rest of his life.
"Please, please leave that selfish monster right where he is," pleaded Roby Marshal.
For the second time in six months, Roby and his brother Chris came to Trenton to implore that the board not grant parole for their father. Robert O. Marshall, 75, of Toms River was convicted in the contract killing of their mother — the notorious 1986 murder chronicled in the best-selling book Blind Faith and the TV movie by the same name.
"The dead cannot cry out for justice," Chris Marshall said. "It is a duty of the living to do so for them. I am here today to speak on behalf of our mom. To cry out for justice for our mom."
Reporters were not permitted inside the hearing, but Roby Marshall, 49, and Chris Marshall, 48, provided a transcript and notes of their comments to the Asbury Park Press. A third son, John, 44, was not present at the hearing and continues to believe his father is innocent.
"I find it shocking, hard to stomach and a slap in the face to my mother and her memory that my brother's and my talk with (a parole official) back in August didn't put an end to this foolishness," said Roby Marshall. "Once again, I've left my family back in Los Angeles, took time off work to be here today and ask you not to release a man that was originally sentenced to death."
But despite their emotional plea, the Marshall brothers left the hearing Wednesday not feeling particularly good about the vibe in the room, as Chris Marshall put it.
While waiting to be received by the full, 15-member parole board, one of the Parole Board's staffers approached them in a waiting area with sobering news. The brothers were told that no matter what the Marshall brothers told the parole board, the most important criterion the panel will take under review is whether they believe Robert Marshall, 75, is likely to repeat offend if released, Chris Marshall said.
Throughout their testimony, the Marshall brothers said, they emphasized that their father has never taken responsibility in the death of their mother or shown remorse.
"My mother was 42 years old when my father had her executed for being an inconvenience and in his way," Roby Marshall told the parole board. "I stand here today at the age of 49 absolutely heartbroken thinking of what my mother has missed. My four boys will never get to know her and she will never get to spoil them. She never got a chance to go shopping with my wife. I never got a chance to call her for advice or to just say hello."