Judge Paves Way for Amy Fisher’s Release

MINEOLA, N.Y. — A judge on Thursday opened the way for Amy Fisher’s possible parole within days after the so-called Long Island Lolita apologized in court to Mary Jo Buttafuoco, the woman she shot in a jealous rage.

“What happened to you, it wasn’t your husband’s fault . . . it wasn’t my father’s fault. It was my fault, and I’m sorry,” Fisher, 24, said in a barely audible voice, looking directly at Buttafuoco.

As Fisher walked past her in the courtroom, they brushed fingers and the younger woman mouthed, “I’m sorry,” holding back tears.

“Through faith in God, I am able to forgive,” Buttafuoco said. “It did not come easily or quickly.”

In 1992, Fisher, then 16, knocked on the door of Buttafuoco’s Massapequa home and shot her in the head. At the time, Fisher was having sex with Buttafuoco’s husband, Joey. He later served six months in jail for statutory rape.

Fisher had already won Mary Jo Buttafuoco’s forgiveness through letters the two began several months ago. But Thursday was the first time they had seen each another since 1992.

During the court session, Judge Ira Wexner threw out Fisher’s 1992 guilty plea to assault on the grounds that her lawyer at the time provided ineffective counsel.

Fisher then reentered the plea and was sentenced to 3 1/2 to 10 1/2 years. She has already served seven years of the original 5-to-15-year sentence.

She will be interviewed by the state Parole Board on May 3. If the board approves, she could be freed that week.

The Buttafuocos now live in Los Angeles. Joey Buttafuoco was not in court Thursday.