The widow of a slain officer is criticizing a SUNY school's decision to invite one of the men convicted of killing her husband to speak.

Joe Piagentini and his partner, Waverly Jones, were assassinated in 1971 by three members of the Black Liberation Army. All three spent time in prison. One of them, Anthony Bottom, was released in 2020. He is scheduled to speak at SUNY Brockport.

Piagentini's widow, Diane Piagentini, says she was very angry when she first read the email.

The school has declined to endorse the characterization of Bottom, now known as Jalil Muntaqim, as a political prisoner. Diane Piagentini, however, believes putting on the event is sending the wrong message.

"It doesn't make much sense because they are still putting the event on," says Diane Piagentini. "You are still approving it. You are not disapproving it."

She hopes the event will be canceled and says there is no way that he should be allowed to speak at any events moving forward.

"My husband was assassinated doing his job, answering a call for help," Diane Piagentini says. "And not until Joe comes through that door should this man be allowed to continue what he is doing."