Some Concerned Community Members Want a Certain Policy Changed Regarding Sex Offenders

Sex offender and rapist Robert Blainey had many people uneasy after disappearing from his Utica residence. And now he's back in Oneida County.

Only this time he is a prisoner and murder suspect.

The fugitive was caught in a traffic stop in Pennsylvania, driving a murder victim's car Monday night.

The victim, Linda Turner, owned the Davis Motel in North Utica. That's where Ms. Turner's body was found, last Thursday.

Some residents in North Utica are in shock over what's happened in their neighborhood.
According to Utica Police Chief Mark Williams, sex offenders are required to renew their pictures every year.

But, in cases like Robert Blainey's, some concerned community members think this policy should change.

"He looks completely different" says one Utica resident.

"Well his face is a bit fuller... He has a head of hair... No glasses and a beard," says another resident.

Some community members say Robert Blainey's last registered mug shot doesn't even look like the same person in the most recent and widely circulated picture of Blainey.

"At a glance I don't think it would be the same guy," says Munir Syed of Utica.

"They look like two totally different people... Two separate people to me," say two area men.
Sex offenders are required to renew their picture every year. 18-year-old Jasmine Bush says that's not often enough. She says the policy should change.

"I think honestly should be more frequently because appearances change.. Every year you get older different facial expressions," says Bush.

But, one Utica man thinks the one year policy is fair.

"You have to look at the other aspects of the law like the costs and all that. I think a year is pretty reasonable," says Munir Syed.

Blainey is now in Oneida County Jail where he faces several charges including murder, burglary and rape in the first degree.

"The key is that he's not going anywhere, the fact that there's a parole hold on him allows us the opportunity to present this and streamline this process to the grand jury," says Utica Police Chief Mark Williams.

Some community members say if an updated photo of Blainey had been released Linda Turner may still be alive.