EXCLUSIVE: Brian Britton’s surviving victim calls near-release of Dutchess County family killer a ‘fiasco’
Brian Britton’s surviving sister and the killer’s fiancée speak with News 12 for the first time – now that the Dutchess County man was denied parole after being just days away from release.
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News 12 is hearing from Brian Britton’s surviving sister and the killer’s fiancée for the first time – now that the Dutchess County man was denied parole after being just days away from release.
Britton killed his parents and 8-year-old brother in 1985. He recently almost became a free man for the first time in 34 years. Prosecutors say statements the Poughkeepsie killer made online seemingly victim-blaming and failing to show remorse plus chilling interviews he did with his fiancee about the murders seemingly sealed his fate with the Parole Board as a state prison inmate for another two years.
“The process worked,” says Dutchess County Chief Assistant District Attorney Matthew Weishaupt. “They denied parole based on what I believe is a very substantial foundation of evidence.”
Britton was initially granted parole for the first time since becoming eligible in 2013 during a de novo appeals hearing in March, but the board rescinded its decision after getting word of the social media postings with just days to spare. The board officially denied the 50-year-old parole this month.
His sister, Sherry Shafer, was a teenager at the time and was shot twice during the family massacre.
She issued a statement for the first time to News 12.
“I’m relieved after the fiasco the past nine months and am grateful to the district attorney for getting the board to see the true Brian,” said Shafer.
His fiancee, who goes by Heather Britton, called the decision on Facebook “corrupt and cruel ” and said Brian Britton plans to appeal.
She denied News 12’s interview request but said Brian Britton would talk for “compensation.”
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Weishaupt says Brian Britton’s behavior shows the Parole Board made the right decision.
“Somebody to this day who still lacks remorse and based on everything I’ve seen on social media, he remains a danger.”
Brian Britton will be eligible for parole in 2025. Weishaupt says he can’t appeal the current decision, despite his fiancee's remarks.
Brian Britton’s attorney has not returned News 12's repeated calls for comment.
