HARRISBURG, Pa. -
"We asked them to do the right thing, and they did the right thing."
That was Gary Gregory's reaction Wednesday, to the news that his sister's killer will stay in prison a little longer.
In November, the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole ruled Rafael Robb could be set free January 28- six years into a 5-10 year sentence for the beating death of his wife- and Gregory's sister- Ellen.
But after receiving a letter of protest from trial Judge Paul Tressler and hearing testimony in Harrisburg from members of the Gregory family, the board reversed course- rescinding Robb's release and ordering he remain imprisoned until at least September of 2014.
"It's an exciting day," said an emotional Gregory, at a news conference with Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman and Montgomery County State Representative Mike Vereb- who advocated for the family.
"My message to Mr. Robb," said Vereb, "is that 'this is the captain speaking, and your flight to freedom has been cancelled."
On December 22, 2006, Ellen Robb's body was found in the Wayne home she shared with the Penn economics professor.
She was lying in a massive pool of blood- the multiple blows to her face so severe, it first appeared she'd been shot.
In fact, Ellen Robb had been bludgeoned to death.
Her husband ultimately pled guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter, with sentencing guidelines suggesting 5-to-10 years in prison.
FOX 29's Bruce Gordon asked Gregory why he was willing to re-open old wounds for a fight that only guarantees an extra 20 months behind bars for Robb.
"It's just the right thing to do," Gregory replied. "We had to fight for her, so we did."
The Gregory family's fight isn't over.
Ellen was planning to divorce her husband when he killed her, and the family has set up a foundation- everygreatreason.org- to support victims of domestic abuse.
And they say they will be there in September of next year, to oppose Rafael Robb's next parole request.
Gary Gregory responds to the news his sister's killer will stay in prison a little longer Wednesday.
Rafael Robb will remain imprisoned until at least September of 2014.
