From Parker appeal:
On November 29, 1985, the State Police discovered the body of Grant Reese in his living room in the Town of Elizabeth-town, Essex County. Reese, a relatively wealthy man who was known to carry large amounts of cash, died from several blows to his head in an apparent robbery-murder. Investigator James Bradley of the State Police learned that Reese was last seen alive on November 26, 1985 at Spruce Hill Lodge, a local tavern. After an interview with the owner, a waitress and two patrons of the tavern who saw Reese on November 26, 1985, Bradley discovered that Reese had conversed that evening with a stranger to the tavern. A composite sketch of this stranger was prepared from the four witnesses’ descriptions, which Bradley and another investigator, John Beck, recognized as a drawing of defendant. These four witnesses also identified defendant from a photo array. Bradley also learned that a green Chevrolet Blazer jeep with plastic taped over the back window had followed Reese home that evening and had turned into Reese’s driveway. Defendant owned a green Chevrolet Blazer.
Based on the photo identification of the man who accompanied Reese while at Spruce Hill Lodge and on the information concerning the green Chevrolet Blazer, the State Police focused their efforts on finding defendant. Knowing defendant to be in the Albany area, he was located by the State Police and placed under surveillance. As a result, the State Police learned that defendant rented a van, ate at a restaurant and paid his rent, all with $50 and $100 bills. A seizure of some of these bills failed to disclose the presence of fingerprints.
Find-A-Grave: Grant William Reese
25 years ago – 1985
People of the State of New York v Robert Lester Parker 1988 (conviction and sentence affirmed)
INMATE INFORMATION
Identifying and Location Information
As of 05/14/21
DIN (Department Identification Number) 86D0084
Inmate Name PARKER, ROBERT L
Sex MALE
Date of Birth 11/11/1957
Race / Ethnicity WHITE
Custody Status RELEASED
Housing / Releasing Facility OTISVILLE
Date Received (Original) 07/18/1986
Date Received (Current) 07/18/1986
Admission Type
County of Commitment ESSEX
Latest Release Date / Type (Released Inmates Only) 03/11/20 PAROLE DIV OF PAROLE
Crimes of Conviction
Crime MURDER 2ND
Class A1
Sentence Terms and Release Dates
Under certain circumstances, an inmate may be released prior to serving his or her minimum term and before the earliest release date shown for the inmate.
As of 05/14/21
Aggregate Minimum Sentence 0020 Years, 00 Months, 00 Days
Aggregate Maximum Sentence LIFE Years, 99 Months, 99 Days
Earliest Release Date
Earliest Release Type
Parole Hearing Date 07/2020
Parole Hearing Type APPROVED OPEN DATE/6 MO AFT INIT APPEAR
Parole Eligibility Date 11/30/2005
Conditional Release Date NONE
Maximum Expiration Date LIFE
Maximum Expiration Date for Parole Supervision
Post Release Supervision Maximum Expiration Date
Parole Board Discharge Date
Filed under: crime, Crimes Against The Elderly, Monsters Among Us, murder, murder in the 20th Century | Tagged: 1985, beaten to death, crimes against the elderly, homicide, Monsters Among Us, New York | Leave a comment »
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