SAVONA, N.Y. (WENY)- A community group called "Justice for the Robie's" held a march Wednesday evening in remembrance of Derrick Robie. Robie was 4 years old when he was killed twenty-eight years ago.

Derrick Robie was killed in 1993 by Eric Smith who was 13 years old at the time. Smith who's also from Savona was sentenced to nine years to life after being convicted in 1994

Twenty-seven years later Smith has been granted parole and community members at Wednesday's gathering say they don't want him to come back.

"What happened we don't want it to ever happen again and we don't want Eric here," Gladys Palmer, resident of Savona said!

She and dozens stood together and walked in unity to honor the life of Derrick Robie and to support his family. Palmer marched in Wednesday's peaceful protest holding a sign that said, "Justice has been broken!"

"We are here as a community to stand together for justice for Derrick Robie and Dale and Doreen Robie the family members and for everyone. We are here to keep Derrick's memory alive," Palmer said.

Community members rallying Wednesday believe his killer should not have been granted parole and should not move back into the area.

I don't think he should be in Steuben County, it just brings up too much and so this is all about Derrick today and that's what we are here for Derrick and the family," Palmer said. 

Decades later Gladys recalls when Derrick Robie was killed, it's a memory that still haunts the community.

"I cannot imagine what Dale and Doreen are going through and their family and we just don't want another reminder of the horror," Palmer said!

At the end of the march, protestors held a candlelight vigil at Little League Baseball Park where a memorial of Robie stands. They were looking to shine a light on the good memories in Robie's life.

Palmer explained the Robie family deserves peace.

"They deserve peace, we just want peace for everyone and just move forward," she said.  

Wednesday was the earliest day Smith could have been released from prison, however, the New York State Department of Corrections tells us his plan for when he comes home has not yet been approved.