A convicted killer tearfully pleaded for his release from prison at his parole hearing Tuesday, where the mother of his victim said she forgives him.
Rod Matthews, 43, was 14 years old when he lured classmate Shaun Ouillette into the Canton woods back in 1986 and killed him with a baseball bat. Matthews claimed he wanted to know what it felt like to kill someone and blamed peer pressure and a dysfunctional family for why he went through with it. He has been in prison since he was convicted of second-degree murder, the first juvenile to be tried as an adult in Massachusetts.
Matthews said he is a different person now and was "deeply sorry" for killing Ouillette. He cried as he asked to be let out of prison.
Attending the hearing was Jeanne Quinn, Ouillette’s mother. Quinn has fought Mathews’ parole request and said she did not believe his sincerity Tuesday. However, she did tell Mathews that she forgives him for murdering her son. She said forgiving Matthews was as much for him as it is for her.
"For the sake of my own survival, to find my way back from the hate and rage I’ve had," said Quinn. "I can’t live like that anymore, I can’t."
Ouilette’s brother and sister spoke out against releasing Matthews, as well as the Canton police chief and Middlesex County assistant district attorney. Matthews’ mother also spoke to the parole board and said her son is a changed man and deserves a second chance.
"I have no doubt he will ever hurt anyone again and I can assure you both he and his family are committed to a successful path to re-entrance to society," said Janice Matthews.
The parole board said it can take months before they decide to release Matthews.
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