Petition decries Bellmore murderer nearing parole

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The convicted murderer of a Bellmore mother may soon be released on parole — but more than 12,000 petition signers say his incarceration should be extended.

John Jackson was charged in the death of his wife, Elizabeth Gangi, and was sentenced to 25 years to life in 1995 — the maximum allowed by law at the time. According to the petition, Elizabeth’s father, Peter Gangi, found his daughter bruised and strangled in the bathroom of her Bellmore home.

The petition, titled “Block Parole for Convicted Murderer of Young Mom” on Change.org, accrued 12,053 backers by presstime, nearing a 15,000-signature goal.

Jackson has a parole hearing at the end of March, with the potential to be released.

“[We] find the idea of the release of John Jackson at this time to be incompatible with the welfare of society,” the petition reads, “and would so deprecate the serious nature of the crime as to undermine respect for the law.”

Peter and his wife, Gloria, took custody of their grandson, Nicholas, who was two days shy of his second birthday on the day of the murder. Gloria died on Dec. 31, 2019, and Peter on Jan. 12 of this year.

“I’m blown away,” Nicholas, now 26, told the Herald Life after seeing the support for the petition, which was organized by the non-profit Parents and Other Survivors of Murdered Victims Outreach, of which Peter was a board member. “I hope I make them proud to do what they did 25 years ago.”

Nicholas, who is married and employed as an engineer in Connecticut, plans to read a statement to the New York State Parole Board arguing against Jackson’s release. Many of the Gangis’ Bellmore neighbors and family members have voiced their support for Nicholas, he said. His grandparents, whom he identifies as his parents, “dedicated their whole lives to keeping me safe and to make sure [Jackson] doesn’t get out.”

According to the petition, Elizabeth was the sole financial provider for her family after Jackson was fired from a previous job. Her “greatest love” was her son, and she “dreamt of a future dedicated to teaching and nurturing Nicholas and someday seeing him with a family of his own,” the petition reads.

It was unclear at presstime who will represent Jackson at his parole hearing. Follow the Herald Life for updates on this story.