By Cherri Gregg

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – State lawmakers and the Montgomery County District Attorney announced Friday that the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole will finally hear from the family of Ellen Robb. Her husband, former Penn Professor Rafael Robb, bludgeoned her to death more than six years ago.

State Representatives Todd Stephens and Mike Vereb say they were working on parallel tracks – researching new legislation – to help the victim’s brother, Gary Gregory, get a hearing before the parole board. But they soon learned that state law already requires the board to give families a hearing.

“They rejected this family’s right to be in front of them. And obviously we involved the governor to get the chairman to get involved in this directly,” State Representative Mike Vereb said.

READ: Parole For Penn Prof. Who Killed Wife Infuriates Her Family

The lawmakers contacted the Governor’s office and Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman says the chair of the parole board has agreed to meet with the victim’s family next week.

“And we are hopeful that that is the beginning of the parole reconsideration process that will keep Rafael Robb in jail,” Ferman said.

Robb was sentenced to 5-10 years behind bars. So far he’s only served six.

The parole board had to set him free later this month. He is scheduled to be released on January 28th.