BOSTON — As I was first to report on Thursday, Norman Porter, the so-called ‘killer poet,’ has requested a medical parole.
If successful, the 80-year-old Porter would legitimately have his freedom back for the first time since 1960.
But the families of his victims are working to prevent Porter’s early release from his life sentence.
Norman Porter is a career criminal with two murders and two prison escapes on his record.
The second escape lasted 20 years.
The State Parole Board has denied Porter’s request three times, most recently in November when the board ruled, “It is the opinion of the Board that Norman Porter has yet to demonstrate a level of rehabilitation that is compatible with the welfare of society.”
Porter can go before the parole board again in three years.
But now, five months later, Norman Porter is trying avenue of release: medical parole.
The legislature allowed this in 2018, and because Porter was convicted of second-degree murder his request will be considered by the State Department of Corrections Commissioner without a public hearing.
Thomas Herman, Norman Porter’s attorney told me the aging criminal is in frail health, suffering from serious heart and lung issues. The COVID-19 pandemic, Herman told me, makes Porter even more vulnerable behind bars.
“This is not an end of life petition,” Herman said. “Given his susceptibility to the virus, (Porter) is at high risk with heart and lung disease. We’d hate to see the sentence he is serving now, become a death sentence.”
Friday, I talked to Jeffrey Robinson.
He is the great nephew of Porter victim David Robinson, the Master Jailer at the Middlesex County House of Correction.
David Robinson was shot and killed during a violent escape by Norman Porter and another inmate.
At the time of the Robinson killing, Porter was awaiting trial for the 1960 murder of Saugus retailer, Jackie Pigott.
In 1975, then-Governor Michael Dukakis pardoned Porter for the Robinson murder.
“I can’t say I’m surprised he is filing this petition,” Robinson told me.
Jeffrey Robinson and other relatives of Porter’s two murders are spending the weekend, writing to the Massachusetts Department of Corrections, trying to convince the Commissioner to keep Porter locked up.
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‘Killer poet’ Norman Porter fighting for his release after decades behind bars
Victim families pushing to keep ‘killer poet’ locked up as he fights for freedom
Family of victim to speak out against parole for ‘killer poet’ Norman Porter
“The emotions don’t go away. And it’s still kind of a raw nerve,” Robinson says.
Ten years after Norman Porter was pardoned, while he was serving life for the Pigott murder, he walked away from his prison furlough.
The Massachusetts Fugitive Apprehension Section tracked down Porter to Chicago Illinois 20 years later where Porter was living under the name JJ Jameson, a local activist and poet.
It’s that 20-year gap bothers Jeffrey Robinson.
“I’d have a different opinion if he wasn’t out for 20 years,” Robinson said. “This guy escaped and was on the lam. He was hiding who he was. “
Monday is the deadline for the Essex County DA and the victims’ families to file their written opposition to the DOC.
The Commissioner is expected to issue her decision about Porter’s freedom, by the end of May.
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