BUFFALO, NY - There was a group of about a dozen demonstrators this morning holding signs outside unmarked door leading to the Buffalo office of the New York State Division of Parole. Several of the signs read, "Justice for Jesse".
Jesse Powers was just 8-years-old when he was brutally murdered. That was in the summer of 1987.
The demonstrators walking the downtown pavement today, almost 29-years later, were Powers' family members. Several had given victim impact statements to the Parole Board. The man convicted in the killing, David Hinchy, is eligible for parole already having served more than the minimum 25-years.
Leading the effort at the praole proceeding to keep Hinchy locked-up is the Jesse's aunt, Sandy Powers.
"It was tough. It was difficult. When you speak to Parole Board, you have to re-live the crime and you have to go through all the details and when you go through all the details it just plays in your head."
It was July of '87 when Jesse Powers disappeared. His body was found near some old railroad boxcars in Buffalo's Riverside neighborhood. Hinchy was quickly arrested and charged.
Hinchy told police the death was an accident, that the two were practicing choke-holds on each other when Jesse went limp. In a police statement, Hinchy said he was angry Jesse did not wake up. He then began punching and kicking the lifeless body.
The trial ended after less than two days of deliberations. The jury found Hinchy guilty of second degree murder.
Now, every two years, the Powers family returns to the Parole Board to re-count the damage inflicted on the family when Jesse life was snuffed out. Jesse's mother Nancy Power committed suicide six-years ago. The family says she never really recovered from losing her son.
"Jesse's in a cemetery in a grave and Hinchy comes up for parole every two years. It just aint fair," said David Powers, Jesse's uncle.
After speaking before the parole board, the family paid a visit to Jesse's grave. They left behind a toy car. They believe the 8-year-old boy they lost would like that.