Hudson Valley Man Who Murdered Family Faced Parole Board

A Hudson Valley man who murdered his parents and little brother in what was described as a "Rambo" inspired rampage hopes to be a free man.

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In March 1989, Brian Britton, then 16, shot and killed his father, Dennis, 44, 42-year-old mother Marlene and 8-year-old brother Jason in their Town of Poughkeepsie home. He also shot his sister Sherry in the stomach and head. Sherry survived the shooting.

Brian's room was covered in Rambo posters. When he was booked at the police station he gave the nickname, "Rambo," the New York Times reported in 1989.

In January of 1990, Britton pleaded guilty to murder and attempted murder. He was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

Britton was up for parole in November, according to his sister Sherry who started a petition to keep Britton in jail.

"I fear for my life and that of my children if he were to be released," Sherry Shafer wrote on her Change.org petition. "The only reason he admitted to the crimes was that he found out that I was alive. His intent on that fateful morning was to kill his entire family but I survived. He has never shown remorse. He has never given a reason as to why he did what he did. He has never reached out to me ( since he has been in prison) to try to reestablish ties."

His parole was denied. His next parole hearing is scheduled for November 2019, according to the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

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