Victim's family supports killer's release from prison
Joseph Donovan says he was impulsive, stupid when younger but has grown
Updated: 7:28 PM EDT May 29, 2014
Two Massachusetts men imprisoned since age 17 under a mandatory life sentencing law for young offenders pleaded for freedom Thursday during the state's first parole hearings.
The state's highest court struck down the law in December, which is part of a cascade of such legal moves around the country.
Teen killers high court ruling could free
Watch the report | Images: Juvenile killer who could be paroled
"I will forever feel ashamed of the actions that night that resulted in the death of such a promising young man," Donovan said at the hearing. "I was such a stupid kid," he added, saying he was rash, and impulsive and never thought about consequences.
In December the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that lifelong imprisonment for juveniles is a cruel and unusual punishment, saying scientific research showed that their brains were not fully developed.
There are about 2,500 inmates serving such sentences nationally and the two Massachusetts men appear to be among the first wave of them to seek their freedom since the Supreme Court decision. One Arizona man who was 15 when he was convicted of killing his mother and stepfather nearly a half-century ago was granted clemency by Gov. Jan Brewer in March.
If released Donovan hopes to pursue his love for art, become a paralegal, and spend time with his family and friends, who filled the seats at the hearing.
But Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz said that although Christian didn't pull the trigger, he set up the robbery. "I don't know if Christian has changed," Cruz said. "All I know is that the two that are dead haven't."
The surviving robbery victim, Carolos Araujo, 38, said Christian is "a stone-cold killer," and is fearful for his safety and that of his eight daughters if Christian were released.
Victim's family supports killer's release from prison
Joseph Donovan says he was impulsive, stupid when younger but has grown
Updated: 7:28 PM EDT May 29, 2014
Two Massachusetts men imprisoned since age 17 under a mandatory life sentencing law for young offenders pleaded for freedom Thursday during the state's first parole hearings.
The state's highest court struck down the law in December, which is part of a cascade of such legal moves around the country.
Teen killers high court ruling could free
Watch the report | Images: Juvenile killer who could be paroled
"I will forever feel ashamed of the actions that night that resulted in the death of such a promising young man," Donovan said at the hearing. "I was such a stupid kid," he added, saying he was rash, and impulsive and never thought about consequences.
In December the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that lifelong imprisonment for juveniles is a cruel and unusual punishment, saying scientific rese
arch showed that their brains were not fully developed.
There are about 2,500 inmates serving such sentences nationally and the two Massachusetts men appear to be among the first wave of them to seek their freedom since the Supreme Court decision. One Arizona man who was 15 when he was convicted of killing his mother and stepfather nearly a half-century ago was granted clemency by Gov. Jan Brewer in March.
If released Donovan hopes to pursue his love for art, become a paralegal, and spend time with his family and friends, who filled the seats at the hearing.
But Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz said that although Christian didn't pull the trigger, he set up the robbery. "I don't know if Christian has changed," Cruz said. "All I know is that the two that are dead haven't."
The surviving robbery victim, Carolos Araujo, 38, said Christian is "a stone-cold killer," and is fearful for his safety and that of his eight daughters if Christian were released.