Nearly 15 years after a local man was stabbed more than 100 times, his family is still fighting for justice.
On a February night in 2003, Stephen Reid was stabbed over 130 times by his wife Sara Navarro. At trial, she was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to Worcester State Hospital.
“The trial was extremely hurtful. We weren’t even allowed to make a victim witness impact statement,” said Anne Saich, Reid’s mother.
On Wednesday, Navarro’s attorneys petitioned the state to release her. Prosecutors have until next month to file a motion against it.
>> Woman accused of murder, ruled mentally incompetent, set to appear in court
“It’s literally like a scary movie where you’re waiting for the next scary thing to happen. And this is probably the next scary thing that could happen,” said Nancy Reid-Stockwell, Reid’s sister.
Under state law, because she was found not guilty of Reid’s murder, when Navarro is released the crime won’t appear on her record.
“This is a major dangerous public safety issue for their families. A murderer needs a CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) record. And it has to be done now,” said Saich.
Reid’s family wants the law to change, allowing a defendant to be found guilty by reason of insanity. Almost 20 states across the country have adopted the idea.
Despite law enforcement support, a bill, which also includes a minimum 10-year commitment and a criminal record, has languished in the legislature for eight years.
It now sits in the senate judiciary committee.
“We loved him so much and we would never want a loved one of someone have that same experience,” said Reid-Stockwell.
Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conly has until October 2 to file a motion to prevent Navarro from being released.