The paroled convicted killer of a Rockland teen who has been petitioning for release from jail following a recent arrest is in the hospital, leading to an indefinite postponement of an anticipated bail hearing originally scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

Court officials learned just before the hearing was to take place that Robert McCain, 64, had what his attorney called a "cardiac event," requiring him to be rushed to the hospital. Westchester County Judge Robert Prisco was going to consider McCain's request to lower his bail relating to his latest charge, which he denies. His bail is currently set at $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond. Westchester County police arrested McCain last week and charged him with one count of misdemeanor forcible touching. They said McCain groped a woman at a Cortlandt dog park, near his Verplanck home. Local officials want McCain to stay in jail while the new case proceeds.

"We're dealing with a unique type of criminal here," Rockland County Executive Ed Day, a former police officer who adamantly opposed McCain's parole for the 1980 murder conviction, said in an interview earlier this week. McCain and Richard LaBarbera were convicted of brutally killing Paula Bohovesky in 1980 as she was leaving the Pearl River Library where she worked. According to court documents, the two men hit Paula over the head with a piece of asphalt and stabbed her several times. McCain was released on parole in 2021, which outraged Paula's family, her friends, and some local politicians. They were reminded of the violent murder of Paula and their efforts to keep McCain in prison when they learned he is newly accused of harming someone else while out on parole.

Judge Prisco ruled Monday that since McCain had obeyed all the terms of his parole since his 2021 release, McCain must be released if he makes bail. The court has not set a new date for McCain's bail hearing. Though McCain is in the hospital, he is still in police custody.

McCain's attorney, Robert Nachamie, said Wednesday he was still trying to find out more about the cardiac event and McCain's condition. An Aug. 7 parole hearing and an August 11th hearing in Cortlandt Justice Court are both still on as planned.