The Hampden County District Attorney wants state lawmakers to revamp the state law which allows for medical paroles. Anthony Gulluni says half the petitions filed are from people who have committed murder. He says it doesn’t make sense that a person convicted and sentenced to life in prison--would be allowed to be released from that sentence. He says it is not fair to the family of the victims of those cases.
The DA says the case of John Stote requesting medical parole twice is a prime example of what he is talking about. Stote was convicted of the murder of John Regan. Stote was released twice on medical paroles.
Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni stated, “This legislation, evidenced by this case and others, has been exploited to abolish justice once done, at the expense of victims and their families. The loss and devastation of a murder is the unrelenting sentence for a victim’s family and community. Lawful and just murder sentences must have similar finality. Accordingly, we urge legislators to clarify and amend this statute.”
Gulluni says he wants the law to go back to pre-reform days when if you were convicted of first or second degree murder you could not be released.
The DA is expected to meet with the families of murder victims later this week.