Timothy J. Cruz, the Plymouth District Attorney, expresses his "outrage" over the decision to grant parole to a man who killed a 15-year-old girl in Hingham back in 1967.
"I am appalled that yet again, the state Parole Board has decided to approve parole for a murderer," Cruz stated.
In March 1967, at the age of 78, Roger Francis shot and killed Marialice Pike. Her body, which had been struck by several bullets, was discovered by a Massachusetts State Trooper in the center divider along Route 3, as stated in parole board records. She died from these injuries.
Following the incident, Francis escaped to Canada, abandoning his car as stated by the board. Within the abandoned vehicle, investigators discovered proof connecting Francis to the killing, such as bloodstains and spent shell casings.
When Francis was apprehended in Canada, he told police, “I’ve been expecting you fellows,” the document said.
Francis was found guilty of first-degree murder related to Pike’s death and received the required sentence of life imprisonment without the chance for parole following his conviction, according to the judgment.
Nevertheless, Francis became eligible for parole after a Supreme Judicial Court decision determined that sentencing people aged 18 to 20 at the time of their crime to life imprisonment without the chance of parole is unconstitutional, as stated in the ruling.
"Where a parole applicant was found guilty of first-degree murder for a crime they committed between the ages of 18 and 20, the Board takes into account the 'distinctive features' of emerging adulthood that set apart young adult offenders from those who are older," the decision indicated.
"The SJC has concluded that life imprisonment without the possibility of parole is unconstitutional for individuals who were 20 years old or younger when they committed their crimes," said Melissa Celli, who is Francis' attorney. The Boston Globe In their statement, they acknowledged that individuals who carried out violent offenses during their youth still possess the capability for rehabilitation.
Cruz stated that his office "remained steadfast" in opposition to Francis’s request for parole.
Although Francis was just 20 years old at the time he murdered Marialice, the cruelty he displayed both during and following her killing indicates that releasing him would not be advantageous for our community," Cruz stated. "Before escaping to another country in March 1967, Francis brutally shot and killed Marialice, demonstrating a distinct awareness of how serious his acts were as well as an apprehension about facing repercussions.
According to the board’s decision, members stated that Francis seemed to be "dealing with significant mental health problems before committing the crime." They also mentioned that during his imprisonment, he underwent several psychiatric hospital stays and received different forms of therapeutic treatments.
Francis’s original first-degree murder conviction from November 1967 was annulled in 1990 due to incorrect jury guidance. He remained free on bail for thirteen years until his second conviction on June 17, 2003, as stated by the board.
The decision stated that Francis has shown "an extraordinarily positive adjustment during his time in prison, with no disciplinary issues, and has been entrusted with significant responsibilities." The board determined this makes his release "consistent with societal well-being."
The board instructed Francis to adhere to multiple stipulations such as undergoing mental health therapy, avoiding alcohol consumption, and not reaching out to Pike’s relatives.
“I urge the Parole Board not to collectively decide that Francis has been rehabilitated and should be reintroduced into society. Instead, they must first consider their duties towards victims such as Marialice and her family before permitting individuals like Francis to move freely amongst us,” Cruz stated.
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The post The DA expressed 'anger' over the release of the individual responsible for killing a teenager from the South Shore in 1967. appeared first on Diwida | .
