A person convicted of killing a 15-year-old woman in Hingham earlier than fleeing to Canada is ready to be launched by the state’s parole board — a choice that has ‘outraged’ the DA whose workplace put the assassin in jail.
Roger Francis, 78, who has served 44 years in jail, has been granted parole by the Massachusetts Parole Board.
When Francis was 20 years outdated in 1967, he shot and killed 15-year-old Marialice Pike. A Mass State Police trooper discovered her unconscious within the median strip on Route 3, and he or she later died from her accidents.
Francis ended up fleeing to Canada, the place he was apprehended on a warrant.
“Roger Francis’ heinous actions nearly 60 years ago deprived 15-year-old Marialice Pike and her family of a lifetime of memories,” Plymouth DA Timothy Cruz mentioned in an announcement. “Francis viciously shot and killed Marialice before fleeing the country in March 1967, showing a clear consciousness of the severity of his actions and a fear of the consequences.”
The Plymouth DA’s Workplace opposed Francis’ petition for parole.
“Francis may have been 20 years old when he killed Marialice, but the callousness he showed during and after her murder make clear that his release is not a benefit to our community,” Cruz mentioned. “I’m outraged that when once more, the state Parole Board has chosen to grant parole to a homicide defendant.
“Instead of unanimously deciding that Francis is rehabilitated and ready to release into society, I call upon the Parole Board to instead consider their obligations to victims like Marialice and their families, before allowing people like Francis to walk among us,” the DA added.
When Francis was arrested, he reportedly instructed police, “I’ve been expecting you fellows,” and requested if the woman was nonetheless alive. When police instructed him that she died, Francis requested officers if he would “get the chair for first degree.”
He was convicted of first-degree homicide, and on the time he acquired the obligatory penalty of life in jail with out the potential for parole.
However then Francis turned parole eligible following the Supreme Judicial Court docket’s choice on rising adults. The courtroom dominated that sentencing people who had been ages 18 by means of 20 on the time of the offense to life with out the potential for parole is unconstitutional. On account of the SJC’s choice, Francis was resentenced to life with the potential for parole after 15 years.
“Mr. Francis has had an extraordinarily positive adjustment throughout his incarceration, with no disciplinary reports, and has held positions of great trust,” the parole board wrote. “He has invested in self-development and maintains a big assist system.
“The Board considered the expert forensic evaluation and opinion of Dr. Leonard Bard, who stated Mr. Francis is at very low risk of re-offending,” the parole board wrote, including, “The Board considered public testimony in rendering its opinion, including opposition from Plymouth County Assistant District Attorney Karen Palumbo. The Board concludes by unanimous decision that Mr. Francis has demonstrated a level of rehabilitation that would make his release compatible with the welfare of society.”
The particular situations of his parole embrace: approving dwelling plans earlier than his launch; supervising for medicine with testing in accordance with company coverage; supervising for liquor abstinence with testing in accordance with company coverage; requiring psychological well being counseling; and no contact with the sufferer’s household.
Initially Printed:
