Brian Mccarthy pleaded guilty to Katy’s murder on Aug. 13, 1987. Here is all you need to know about the crime and the sentencing. Scroll below to learn more.
Katherine Mary “Katy” Hawelka was 19 years old when she died in 1986. She was the second oldest of four children raised in Central New York.
Her siblings Joe was 16, Carey was 17, and Betsy was 21 years old at the time. Carey and Katy were the types of sisters who were best friends throughout their adolescence at Henninger High School in Syracuse.
Katy, whose smile was as warm as her wit was sharp, often broke up fights between the siblings. Katy was attacked, beaten, raped, and strangled outside the Walker Arena at the university.
Three days later, on September 1, Watertown doctors declared her brain dead and the Hawelka family agreed to withdraw life support.
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Morbid: Where Is Katy Hawelka Murderer Brian McCarthy Now?
Brian M. McCarthy, a Parishville native, has been incarcerated for more than three decades. He is currently serving his sentence at the Cayuga Correctional Facility in Moravia, Cayuga County.
McCarthy’s most recent hearing took place on April 20 at the medium-security Cayuga Correctional Facility. Katy’s family received the denial later that month.
On August 13, 1987, McCarthy pleaded guilty to Katy’s murder and was sentenced by now-retired St. Lawrence County Court Judge Eugene L. Nicandri.
His sentence ranges from 23 to life in prison, with a maximum of 25 years. Katy’s family has been waiting for a decision from the state Board of Parole every two years since 2009.
McCarthy’s mother, three siblings, and other family and friends send letters to the board in advance of his scheduled hearings. Oral victim impact statements are also assisted by the state Office of Victim Assistance.
Brian McCarthy Age 2022
As of 2022, Brian McCarthy is in his late 50’s. He was 23 when was charged with first-degree rape and assault. In addition, he was also charged with second-degree murder when Katy died.
McCarthy had been in and out of jail all his life before he was arrested in Katy’s case. He was arrested in St. Lawrence County on burglary, theft, and forgery charges.
He has served 10 months of a two-year prison sentence in Virginia for stealing a car. However, his charge was reduced to the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
Petition To Deny Brian McCarthy’s Parole: Crime Scene Explained
There have been online petitions to deny Brian McCarthy parole every year. Though he received parole in April 2021, many advocacy groups have been raising concerns about it.
Katherine Hawelka, a 19-year-old college sophomore, died on September 1, 1986. It was a result of a brutal attack by Brian M. McCarthy on the Clarkson University campus in Potsdam, New York.
He viciously attacked her as she walked through campus. McCarthy raped and strangled her, battering her so badly that she was unrecognizable due to head and face trauma.
She never regained consciousness following this heinous assault. Three months prior to the attack, Brian McCarthy had just been released on parole.
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