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Victim’s kin seethe after prosecutor helps free killer

When a young derelict blasted his Bronx landlord with a .22-caliber rifle and left him to die 28 years ago, the victim’s son hoped the murderer would never again see daylight.

But the killer, Martin Hodge, was suddenly paroled Jan. 7 with the help of a Bronx prosecutor over the objections of the assistant district attorney who convicted him — and without the knowledge the victim’s family.

“[Hodge] continued to deny he had anything to do with this for 25 years . . . So we’re not talking about someone who did a bad act and went to prison and repented,” said an infuriated Steve Pasvankias, 63, son of victim John Pasvankias.

Hodge, now 50, was sprung thanks largely to Bronx prosecutor Christine Scaccia, who argued that the murderer is “intelligent and well-spoken” and had cooperated in several cold-case homicides from behind bars, according to paperwork obtained by The Post.

Scaccia fought so strenuously for Hodge’s release that even his parole officer was surprised, Pasvankias said.

“The parole officer at the last hearing said, ‘I’ve seen many letters, but never one like this,’ ” the son said, referring to Scaccia’s missives in support of Hodge’s release. “I’m surprised she didn’t offer to adopt him.”

It was not Scaccia’s first controversial handling of a case: In 2011, she missed several paperwork filing deadlines involving Darren Morris, who was accused of firing two bullets at a cop. Her actions ultimately led a judge to order him freed.

In 2010, at the time of Hodge’s first bid for freedom, Scaccia wrote to the parole board that “Mr. Hodge has expressed to me that when he is released from prison he has no intention of engaging in wrongdoing.” His parole was denied.

He tried again in 2012, but was denied again.

Parole officials argued,“Your release would be incompatible with the welfare of society.”

But the third time was the charm — despite the objections of his original prosecutor, William Flack, who told officials in his own letter that the murderer remains dangerous and deceitful.

Pasvankias said he had been advised of every parole-hearing date — except for last one, Dec. 10, when the killer was finally ordered released. Parole officials then told Pasvankias that Hodge would be freed Jan. 21 — but advanced the date to Jan. 7 without telling him.

It was the very day that he had warned parole officials in Albany that he planned to hand-deliver a stack of protest letters and petitions aimed at keeping Hodge behind bars.

“When they heard that I’m rattling cages, they cut him free the same day,” he said.

Pasvankias said he still remembers the night his dad agreed to meet with Hodge days after evicting him for nonpayment from the three-bedroom, basement apartment on Pelham Avenue.

When the son, then 35, went to the apartment to look for his missing father on Dec. 16, 1985, he found the marshal’s padlock clipped and Hodge and his girlfriend inside.

“They were sitting together in the kitchen, eating dinner, about 100 feet away from the shed where he had just murdered my father about an hour prior,” Pasvankias said.

Hodge denied everything, but was convicted and sentenced to 25 years to life. He later claimed the murder was accidental.

He told The Post on Sunday, “I’ve done three years on top of the 25. Does that justify a man’s life being taken? No, it doesn’t. But I’m thankful that I was given a second chance, and I’m doing the best I can to try to make it on the outside
. . . and simply exist in society as a good person.”

He said he was “heartbroken for the deceased’s family because of what I’ve done . . . I’m truly sorry.

“I understand their animosity towards me. I would feel the same way.’’

Steven Reed, a spokesman for the Bronx DA’s Office, said of Pasvankias’ anger, “We certainly understand the survivor’s point of view. It was this office that convicted Martin Hodge and sent him to prison.’’

As for Scaccia’s involvement in Hodge’s release, he said, “Our position is to provide the Board of Parole with all pertinent information. We don’t know what impact, if any, our letter had on their decision.”

Department of Correctional Services officials declined to talk about the specifics of Hodge’s case.

Additional reporting by Frank Rosario