I-Team: Family outraged over convicted killer’s parole
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I-Team: Convicted Killer Paroled
A man who shot and killed another man 30 years ago is being paroled.
NBC 10
Guiseppe Capalbo
CRANSTON, R.I.—On April 5, 1978, Guiseppe Capalbo walked into Elmwood Dodge in East Providence and shot Norman Grenier in the back.
As Grenier fell to the floor, Capalbo shot him six more times and killed him.
Capalbo had purchased a new car from the dealership.
He had a lot of problems with the car and went to the dealership to speak with the salesman who sold him the car. He wasn’t there but Grenier, the service manager, was and Capalbo killed him.
Capalbo was given a life sentence and every time he came up for parole, Grenier’s family protested it.
“We emphasized the fact why he should stay in prison. He killed a man to death and we periodically emphasize why he should stay in,“ Steve Grenier said.
Steve Grenier was only 18 when his father was gunned down.
His brother, two sisters and his 84-year-old mother still live with the nightmare of this cold blooded killing.
Recently, the Rhode Island Parole Board granted Capalbo parole. He’ll be released in October.
Kenneth Walker, the chairman of the parole board, didn’t hear the case but told the NBC 10 I-Team, “over the years, there’s been a change in Capalbo’s behavior…Capalbo came from Italy, saved his money, bought a new car…had a lot of problems with it…he just lost it. There’s no excuse for what he did, but there’s a cultural point of view to this.“
“A cultural standpoint? This whole country’s based on different cultures. People just don’t go out and kill people because of a cultural issue. It’s not right,“ Steve Grenier said.
The NBC 10 I-Team reports that at one point, Capalbo threatened to kill the entire parole board.
Steve Grenier found himself as the man of the house as a teenager after his dad was gunned down.
“My father would come and dinner would be made for him. Now, when I came home after he was killed, dinner was made for me. So, it was difficult,“ he said.
Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch said he’s trying to stiffen the sentences for murder.
In 1978, convicted killers were eligible for parole after serving only 10 years. Today, they have to serve 20 years.
Capalbo declined a request for an interview from NBC 10.
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Reader Reactions
The crime was horrific. My quality of life has sufferred because of it. I was just wondering, will his neighbors be aware of his homecoming or will we all find out after one of them makes him angry?
It sickens me to see how soft our judicial system has become. I think Mr. Walker should keep this killer under his roof for the first twenty years after his release to ensure that he transitions smoothly.
I guess it’s OK to “Kill a man to death” in some cultures. But only if he needs killin…
Kenneth Walker needs to lose his job. He’s letting this guy out because of his culture how many more murderers are going to be let free for this excuse. This man walked in with intent of killing the salesman. Mr. Walker I hope you can sleep at night knowing what you are doing is very wrong. Sure he can act like he changed in prison he has no choice. What happens if he decides it this mans family’s fault he’s been there so long and goes after them. What’s a matter with out state government not even answering the family. They are a bunch of jerks who don’t want to get involved. Well someone should. This man does not belong on the streets.
This story is deeply troubling. A cold-blooded murderer who clearly operates on impulse is being set loose in the community? – And despite a death threat to parole board members? That is not a cultural issue; it’s sheer insanity. Where is the public responsibility in this decision? Where is the common sense? This is not about one family and an event that happened years ago. This is here and now, all citizens. This guy should NEVER be on the streets!!!!
Shame on you Dr. Kenneth Walker. The man “just lost it,“... his behavior has changed,...there are cultural issues…“ please tell me in what culture murder is an acceptable answer to any problem. As chairperson of the RI Parole Board, your justification of this crime and the resulting October parole of Capalbo is a crime in itself.
This horrific crime tore at the core of our family. Every single time this person was eligible for parole in the past we called, wrote letters, sat in front of the parole board pleading our case. We relived the event as if it were fresh every time the victim’s notification arrived. This latest hearing our pleas fell on deaf ears. I wrote letters to each one of the parole board members requesting an explanation of why they thought this man should be allowed to live outside prison walls. Not one reply was received.
My father wasn’t given an opportunity to spend the remainder of his life with his wife and children. Never had the chance to see his youngest children married or spend time with his grandchildren. These options were taken away because a man “just lost it.“
I miss my father every day, time does not always heal wounds. Parole decisions like this one just open the wounds up to bleed again.
It’s unfortunate that the people of Rhode Island will have this man in their backyard in October.
Your family misses you Dad.
Norma Jean Grenier Juel
Eldest daughter of Norman A. Grenier
First of all many thanks to Jim Taricani my family and I are grateful for his help in informing the people of RI of this horrible injustice. I was very upset with the comments from Mr. Walker from the Parole Board. Exactly what is a cultural issue? As far as I know killing another human being in Italy is still murder just as it is here in the US, and I doubt that the Italian government would parole a convicted murderer from the US just because of cultural differences. HIs reasoning is totally unacceptable. Capalbo has no rights, he took away my fathers rights 31 years ago when he pulled that trigger. Since there is no death penalty in RI he derserves to rot away the remainder of his life in prison. The people of RI also need to know one more thing. I wrote letters to every politician in the RI State government, even the Governor,and our 2 Senators and Congressman voicing my opinion and opposition to this parole and NOT ONE of them had the courtesy to even reply. I can only guess that letting a convicted murderer out of prison to be free among the law abiding citizens of RI is of no concern to them. It just doesn’t matter.
I miss my Dad every day and I sincerely hope no one else will have to endure what my family has had to for the past 31 years. Let Capalbo rot in prison!!!
Mike Grenier
Oldest son of Norman Grenier
Considering Guiseppe’s culture…what do you suppose he’d do if he came face to face with the man who murdered his Father after he was let out of jail.
The chairman of the parole board is letting a man loose saying there is a cultural standpoint.Does he think he’s changed by being insulated in prison from any resemblance of american culture? Whats it going to take to set him off to feel that a vendetta has to be settled? Road rage on a hot day? An insult to his family? I can’t believe this poor family had to fight to keep this scum in Jail. No ones talking about deportation! This makes me phisically sick! Thank you Kenneth Walker Someday you might be selling your old car. I hope Guiseppe answers your add…hope you changed your oil every 2000 miles.
It seems to me that this man has a history of angry behavior. Being in prison for all these years has probably made his angry - really, how dare the man die after he shot him!!
Mr. Walker, the chairman of the parole board, seems to have some similar problems with his take on reality.
What are they thinking, letting this man out?
Capalbo was a referee and a teacher. So if my culture says getting even with a referee or teacher for a perceived wrong is ok, i can do it and get a pass no matter how far in the future. The penalty did not, and is not fitting the crime. This man destroyed this family. The unfortunate thing that compounds the problem and makes it worse is that we could have educated many children and helped many families for what it cost to keep him in jail.
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