Convicted Child Killer Marybeth Tinning No Longer on Parole
NEW YORK - Marybeth Tinning, who was convicted of the smothering death of her 4-month-old daughter Tami Lynne in 1985, has been discharged from post-release supervision, state prison officials confirmed this week.
Tinning, who is now 80 years old, had been serving a sentence of 20 years to life in prison. Her case gained national attention as all nine of Tinning’s children died young from 1972 to 1985, eight of them under suspicious circumstances. An adopted child’s death was among the eight.
She was indicted in three deaths, but prosecutors pursued only the Tami Lynne case. Tinning has denied killing the others.
Tinning was released from prison in August 2018, after six prior parole board appearances resulted in denials. She served 31 years in custody. She was expected to reside in Duanesburg upon her release.
Tinning then remained free under parole supervision for just under five years before being discharged from parole earlier this year.
Three Year Discharge
The end of her parole supervision came as the result of a “Three Year Discharge.” Parolees can be granted such a discharge if the Board of Parole “determines that such discharge is in the best interest of society and provided further that the releasee has been on unrevoked community supervision for at least three consecutive years,” a provided 2022 state supervision directive reads.
“A discharge granted under this section shall constitute a termination of the sentence with respect to which it was granted,” the law governing the discharges reads.
Reached Tuesday, Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney said he had not been made aware of the decision when told by The Daily Gazette.
“I hope they’re correct,” Carney said in response. “Given her age, it’s likely she doesn’t pose a threat I guess.”
The Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office, under then-District Attorney John Poersch, prosecuted Tinning.
An effort to reach Tinning this week was unsuccessful and information on her since her discharge from parole was not available.
She should never have been released. #Disagree
Horrible decision, potential danger ahead.