Hempfield man convicted in teen's 2002 murder seeks early end to probation

A Hempfield man who as a teenager pleaded guilty to charges that he participated in the 2002 murder of a classmate’s older brother wants the 10-year probation term portion of his sentence, scheduled to begin this month, terminated to allow him to move to another state.

Robert Laskowski, now 35, has been out of prison since he was paroled in 2010 after serving eight years of a maximum 20-year prison sentence for the third-degree murder of 18-year-old Adam Bishop in his home in the Bovard section of Hempfield.

According to court documents filed this week, Laskowski claims his parole is scheduled to end on April 22, when his consecutive probation period is to begin. Laskowski pleaded guilty in 2004 to third-degree murder and conspiracy.

“Mr. Laskowski has paid his debt to society and has proven that he has been rehabilitated. Mr. Laskowski continues to seek ways to better himself,” defense attorney Angela Y. Hayden wrote in her motion to the court.

Laskowski was 15 and a freshman classmate of then 15-year-old Ian Bishop at Hempfield Area High School when the April 19, 2002, killing took place.

Prosecutors contended Laskowski stood by and watched Ian Bishop strike his older brother in the head at least 18 times with a claw hammer and a wooden club. Laskowski told police he did not hit Adam but helped Ian to drag his brother’s body to a bathtub, where he was left to die.

According to this week’s court filing, Laskowski was a model inmate while incarcerated and has met all requirements for parole. He is a loan processing analyst at PNC Bank, is working towards a communications degree from Southern New Hampshire University and has an opportunity to relocate to Chicago, where he has housing, a job and a stable support system, according to his lawyer.

“My office opposes any change to the sentence that was imposed and will not consent to an early termination of probation.” Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli said Monday.

Karen and Jeff Bishop, parents of Ian and Adam Bishop, said they opposed an early termination of Laskowski’s probation.

“It’s only fair. It’s been 20 years this month, and given what I know, I think he should be watched,” Karen Bishop said.

Ian Bishop, now 34 was prosecuted as an adult. He has served two decades in the state prison system and was denied parole in January, according to his parents.

The Bishops continue to support their surviving son, who they said has received bachelor’s and master’s degrees while incarcerated and wrote a children’s novel that has since been published.

“We’re very proud of him,” said Karen Bishop.