Convicted teen murderer could appeal for parole thanks to SJC ruling

GROVELAND. Mass. — It’s been more than 20 years since Beth Brodie was murdered in Groveland; her killer was sentenced to life in prison without parole, but after a recent court ruling could change that.

Richard Baldwin was 16 years old when he killed Brodie in 1992, but the SJC recently ruled that juveniles cannot be sentenced to life without parole.

That ruling means Baldwin could someday ask for parole.

“The ball is actually in his court. He could decide today tomorrow, six months from now when he decides he's ready, we just wait and go,” Brodie’s brother Sean Alyward said.

Since the SJC's ruling, other teen killers, who were sent away forever, have appeared before the parole board -- and some have been released.

This week, convicted teen triple killer Daniel LaPlante will take his first step towards getting a parole hearing.

“Victims don’t have a voice anymore. All they have is our memories. And these are convicted. They've already had their trial, had their day in court, and they are incarcerated. We know they are guilty. In most cases, the lives they took are innocent,” Baldwin.

At the State House, some lawmakers are trying to put work around the ruling. One bill would force teen killers to wait 35 years before asking for parole. Another would limit teen killers, to just one parole hearing.

Alyward said this isn't about revenge, it's about justice.

“Murder is the ultimate sin. It can't be forgiven,” he said.

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