Amy Fisher Is Free

Amy Fisher, who spawned tabloid headlines and television movies after she shot her lover's wife in the head, walked out of Albion Correctional Facility Monday after being paroled last week.

Fisher, with her head bowed and wearing sunglasses, did not answer any questions as she walked past about two dozen reporters and photographers outside the western New York prison. Fisher was accompanied by her mother and attorney, Bruce Barket, who said they would have no comment.

Fisher, called the "Long Island Lolita," pleaded guilty in 1992 to assault for shooting Mary Jo Buttafuoco and was sentenced to five-to-15 years in prison. Fisher was a 17-year-old high school senior when the shooting occurred. She is now 24.

A judge agreed last month to a shorter prison sentence for Fisher, making her eligible for release if the state Parole Board agreed. The board voted 2-1 last week to grant her release.

Mrs. Buttafuoco, 37 when she was shot, survived and forgave Fisher in court last month. The two had corresponded for several months and Mrs. Buttafuoco helped get Fisher's sentenced reduced.

Fisher had been having an affair with Joey Buttafuoco, the 38-year-old owner of an auto body shop. He pleaded guilty to statutory rape and served six months in prison.

The Buttafuocos live in Los Angeles, where Joey Buttafuoco has been a cable television talk show host and is said to be pursuing an acting career.

Fisher's mother, Rose Fisher, said in a statement that she had "prayed and waited for this moment to arrive. Knowing my daughter is coming home is the best Mother's Day gift I could wish for."

Barket, said a fashion job awaits Fisher, who will live in the New York City area. He said she "really would like to have some privacy" after being released.

In a $220 million lawsuit that was dropped in March, Fisher claimed she was raped by five corrections officers at Albion. U.S. District Judge Richard Arcara wrote that the lawsuit "reads more like a cheap dime store novel or a script for a tabloid television show than a pleading in a federal lawsuit."

Written by Bill Porter