The Pa. loophole a Penn prof and confessed killer almost slipped through

Penn economist Rafael Robb bludgeoned his wife, Ellen to death in 2006 and was released after only 10 years. Why his case revealed cracks in Pa.'s criminal justice system.

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Rafael Robb is escorted from court to a waiting car in King of Prussia Pa. on Feb. 1, 2007, after he was ordered to stand trial on charges of first- and third-degree murder. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Rafael Robb is escorted from court to a waiting car in King of Prussia Pa. on Feb. 1, 2007, after he was ordered to stand trial on charges of first- and third-degree murder. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

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Penn economist Rafael Robb confessed in 2006 to bludgeoning of his wife, Ellen to death. He served only 10 years in prison before trying to go to Israel, while owing his daughter millions of dollars in damages. From conviction to parole, Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Maria Panaritis explains why Robb’s case has revealed cracks in Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system — and why that could be changing.

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