Legislation

Senator Tarr's Proposed Bill S.2008

Newspaper/Online Articles

Eagle Tribune: Chism case revives debate over parole for teen killers 12/17/15
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Eagle Tribune: Editorial: Fight for justice in murder of Colleen Ritzer not over 12/16/15

The Enterprise: VICTIMS' KIN: SJC ruling causes concern for homicide victims’ families4/9/15

Newburyport Daily News: SJC ruling causes concern for victims' families 3/31/15

Eagle Tribune: Editorial: Juvenile killers must remain behind bars 3/25/15

WSJ: U.S. Supreme Court to Review Juvenile Life Sentences 3/25/15

Essex County DA: 
Board Denies Parole for Gloucester Juvenile 3/18/15

Boston Globe: 
Killer in 1985 Lawrence case is up for parole 2/26/15


Eagle Tribune: Sean Aylward's Letter to the Editor 8/31/14 
(Go to page 2)

Boston Herald: Two Teen Lifers Seek Parole 9/29/14

The Andover Townsman:Juvenile parole compromise disservice to victims 7/17/14

Newburyport Daily News: Murder victims' families decry juvenile parole bill 7/17/14

Salem News: Our view: Lawmakers fall short on juvenile parole bill  7/11/14

Eagle Tribune: DA Blodgett, victim's mom speak out against parole changes 7/9/14

Boston Herald: Lawmakers weigh parole for juvenile lifers 7/7/14

ItemLive: Juvenile sentencing bill up for Senate debate 7/8/14

Boston Globe: Mass. House OK’s parole for juvenile killers 6/18/14

CBS Boston.com: Conditional Parole Approved For Man Sentenced To Life In Prison As Juvenile 6/5/14

Boston Herald: Accused teen killer allegedly attacks DYS worker 6/3/14

Liberty Voice: Boston Lawmakers Discuss Juvenile Parole Eligibility 5/17/14


Wicked Local: Rulings forcing Mass. lawmakers to revisit parole in juvenile murder cases 5/17/14

Liberty Voice: Boston Families Protest Supreme Court Ruling 5/16/14

Salem News: Our view: Families deserve credit for pushing parole bill 5/16/14

Itemlive.com: Life without parole’ should be just that 5/16/14

Gloucester Times: Families, petition boost Tarr parole bill 5/16/14 

Somerville Patch: Families of Victims Urge Legislators to Prevent Parole Eligibility for Juvenile Murderers 5/15/14

Eagle Tribune: Families demand promises will be kept on sentences 

Boston Globe: Victims’ families back juvenile parole measure 5/15/14 

Boston Herald: Lawmakers weigh parole for young murder convicts 5/15/14

Press Release: DA Blodgett Urges Judiciary Committee to Increase Juvenile Murder Sentence 5/14/14

MassLive: Difficult Decisions: Statehouse Juvenile Justice Hearing 5/14/14

Telegram: Lawmakers weigh parole for young murder convicts 5/14/14

Fox 25: Lawmakers weigh parole for young murder convicts 5/14/14 

Salem News: Victims' families urge minimum sentences for juvenile killers 5/15/14 

Chron: Lawmakers weigh parole for young murder convicts 5/15/14 

Boston Magazine: Families to Deliver Petitions to Governor Asking to Stop Possible Parole of Jailed Murderers 5/12/14

Newburyport Daily News: The battle a family shouldn't have to fight 5/9/17

Gloucester Times: Editorial: Families deserve credit for standing by Tarr parole bill 5/9/14

Gloucester Times: Victim's family testifies at Tarr parole bill talks 5/8/14

Eagle Tribune: Family of slain teen urges mandatory time for juvenile killers 5/7/14

Enterprise: Lifer Gets Chance at Parole 4/30/14

Newburyport Daily News: Ruling on juveniles not fair to their victims 4/11/14

Boston Herald: Teen lifer parole hearings on hold for judge’s ruling 3/25/2014

Boston Herald: Killers convicted as teens could make bids for parole concessions 3/24/2014

Ipswich Wicked Local: Families fighting to amend SJC decision 2/28/14

Newburyport  News: Those who lost lose again 2/20/14

Lowell Sun: SJC ruling is devastating to our family 2/6/14

The Examiner: Chism case should not be delayed 2/5/14

The Republic: Michigan House passes new sentencing rules for young killers; bill won't apply retroactively 2/4/14

Eagle Tribune: Candles for Beth: Hundreds come out to remember 1992 Groveland murder victim 2/3/14

The Gloucester Times-Vigil planned to spotlight, protest parole ruling 1/27/2014

The Eagle Tribune-Editorial: Parole bill restores some justice to victims' families 1/26/214

Newburyport News: Honoring Beth's Memory 1/24/2014

The Salem News: Ritzer family seeks to right injustice 1/24/2014

Eagle Tribune: New bill proposes that juveniles convicted of 1st degree murder wait 35 years for parole 1/24/2014

Andover Patch: Seeking Justice: Finegold, Other Lawmakers Push for 'Fix' to SJC Ruling 1/24/2014

Westport News: Mass. lawmakers seek juvenile sentencing changes 1/23/14

New Bedford Evening Journal: State lawmakers propose 35-year minimum for juvenile murderers 1/23/2014

Nashoba Publishing: Senators to unveil juvenile sentencing bill 1/23/2014

Newburyport Daily News: SJC ruling strikes at my family's hearts 1/23/2014

Newburyport Daily News: Prosecutors seek new penalties for juvenile murder convictions 1/23/2014

Gloucester Daiily Times: Letter: Girl's killer should never be released 1/23/2014

On Point with Tom Ashbrook: Transcript: 
Mandatory Sentencing: Victims Speak Out 1/22/2014

Salem News: Letter: Don't parole juvenile murderers 1/22/2014

Newburyport Daily News: Beth Brodie's killer must not be released 1/22/2014

Eagle Tribune: Letter: Victims' rights are now at risk in Massachusetts 1/22/2014

Gloucester Daily Times: Letter: Ruling an affront to all victims' rights 1/21/2014

Boston Magazine: The Downing Family’s Fight to Keep a Convicted Murderer Behind Bars 1/21/2014

Newburyport Daily News: Victim's rights are now at risk in Mass. 1/20/2014

Newburyport Daily News: Seeking Justice for Beth Brodie 1/20/2014

Boston Herald: Life without Parole 1/20/2014

The Boston Globe Magazine: Locking up kids for life? 1/19/2014

Eagle Tribune: Help keep Brodie’s killer in prison 1/19/2014

Itemlive.com: Rulings on killers a blow to victims’
families 1/18/2014

The Metro West Daily News: Downing: SJC ruling hurts victims 1/18/2014

Gloucester Daily Times: Letter: Ruling on Teen Killers Revives Fears 1/18/2014

Eagle Tribune: DAs urge change to parole eligibility for juvenile murderers 1/18/2014

Newburyport Daily News: Where is our justice? 1/16/2014

The Examiner: Downing Family Will Fight for Justice 1/16/2014

Eagle Tribune: Letter: Where is justice for our family? 1/15/2014

Haverhill Gazette: Brodie's friends fight parole for her killer 1/14/2014

Somerville Patch: SJC Ruling Exhumes Gruesome Somerville Murder Case 1/14/2014

The Lowell Times: SJC's parole ruling turns justice system upside down 1/14/2014

Gloucester Daily Times: Letter: Court parole ruling revives painful memories 1/14/2014

Newburyport Daily News: Concern for repeat of tragedy 1/14/2014

Boston Herald: No parole for killer 1/14/2014

Eagle Tribune: Ruling places victims in fear 1/12/2014  NOTE: it is the second letter in the column

Glouster Times: Letter: Killer doesn't deserve chance at parole 1/11/2014

Lowell Sun: SJC decision on juvenile murderers totally insane 1/10/2014

Newburyport News: Candlelight vigil Feb. 1 in memory of Beth Brodie: 1/10/2014

Eagle Tribune: Killer deserves life behind bars 1/9/2014

Eagle Tribune: Letter: SJC ruling revives painful memories 1/8/2014

Newburyport News: Legislature should act on parole ruling 1/8/2014

Newburyport News: Justice should not be conditional 1/8/2014

Newburyport News: Keep Beth Brodie's murderer in jail 1/8/2014

Salem News: Shocked by SJC Ruling 1/7/2014

Eagle Tribune: Editorial: Legislature should act on parole ruling 1/7/2014

Eagle Tribune: Finegold pledges fight in 'youthful offender' decision 1/6/2014

Newburyport Daily News Our view: State court makes wrong call on juvenile murderers.  1/6/2014

The Lowell Sun Ruling on murders is a call to action:  1/5/2014

Eagle-Tribune News article: 1/4/2014

Gloucester Times News article: 1/4/2014

Salem Evening News article: 1/4/2014

Boston Globe: Slain Danvers teacher’s family slams ruling on juveniles 1/3/14

New York Daily News article: 1/2/2014

Glouster Times: 2nd city case tied to ruling 1/2/2014

The Examiner article Justice  should not be conditional : 12/31/2013

Glasgow Daily Times: Teen killers could get parole under Mass. high court ruling 12/31/2013

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling on life without parole sentencing for juveniles: Boston Globe 12/24/2013

Radio

Nightside with Dan Rae 1/8/15

WBUR: Mass. Lawmakers To Debate Parole For Juveniles Convicted Of Murder 7/7/14

Howie Carr Show:  Laurel Sweet on Killer Parole Hearings 5/29/14

Howie Carr Show: Sean Aylward on Parole for Juvenile Killers 5/16/14

Boston Pubic Radio: Sean Aylward's Discussion with Governor Patrick 5/15/14 (FF to minute 45)

WFSU Article and Audio - Juvenile Sentencing Bill Among Handful Of Measures Now Headed To House Floor - 3/21/2014

CBS Boston: Les Gosule: Part 1-No Parole for Minors-1/23/2014

Part 2: No Parole for Minors - 1/23/2014

On Point with Tom Ashbrook: Jail Time And Violent Juvenile Offenders 1/22/2014

Television

Fox25: New ruling provides more protection for convicted teen killers 4/1/15


Fox25: Bill would allow parole for juvenile murderers 7/15/14

Fox25: Families fighting ruling on youthful offenders bill 7/8/14

WCBV: Massachusetts House passes juvenile parole bill 6/18/14

WCBV: Philip Chism attacked DYS staff member, Sheriff's Office says 6/4/14

CNN: Inside the Brain of  a Young Killer

NECN: Victims' families petition against parole for juvenile convicts 5/14/14

Channel 5: Families of murder victims determined to fight for those who cannot 5/14/14

Channel 4: Lawmakers Weigh Parole For Young Murder Convicts 5/14/14

Fox 25: Giving Juveniles Convicted of Murder Another Chance at Freedom 5/14/14

Fox 25: Murder Victims Faimilies’ Hand Over Petitions On Beacon Hill 5/14/14

Channel 5 News: Family of murdered teen fighting to keep killer in jail 5/6/14

Fox 25 News: Convicted Killer One Step Closer to Winning Freedom 4/30/14

Fox 25 News: Family of Beth Brodie at State House to Discuss Juvenile Offender Ruling 4/8/14

Fox 25 News: Sean Alyward 1/23/2014

Fox 25 News: Victim's family reacts to possibility of convicted juvenile murderers getting parole 1/23/2014

Fox 25 News: Senators Unveil Juvenile Sentencing 1/23/2014

NECN Coverage 1/23/2014

CBS Coverage 1/23/2014

WMUR9: Raymond family fights possible parole for man who murdered sister: 1/15/2014

NECN: Broadside: Juveniles convicted of murder can't be sentenced to life without parole 1/7/2014

Fox 25 Boston interview with the Brodie Family: 1/1/2014

Channel 7 WHDH.com Colleen Ritzer family decries SJC decision: 1/3/14

Blogs

Channel 5: Teen killers high court ruling could free 5/26/14


IssueSpot: Difficult Decisions: Statehouse Juvenile Justice Hearing 5/15/14

Boston Criminal Attorney Blog: MASSACHUSETTS SJC DECISION BARRING JUVENILE LIFE SENTENCES WITHOUT PAROLE: GOOD OR BAD?  12/26/13

International Coverage

Univision Boston: Polémica por libertad condicional a delincuentes juveniles 5/15/14

Amerika Nachrichten: Eltern ershuttert: Killer ihrer Tochter bald frei? 1/2/2014

Shortnews: USA: Neues Gesetz - Killer bald auf freiem Fuß? 1/2/2014

Court Cases

See Ward v. Commonwealth, 407 Mass. 434, 437 (1990). "The judge must consider, but shall not be limited to, evidence of the following factors: `(a) the seriousness of the alleged offense; (b) the child's family, school and social history, including his court and juvenile delinquency record, if any; (c) adequate protection of the public; (d) the nature of any past treatment efforts for the child; and (e) the likelihood of rehabilitation of the child.'" Id.


Miller  v Alabama, Jackson v Hobbs Article;  TeenKillers.org

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES  MILLER v. ALABAMA- SCOTUS

SJC Diatchenko Case

Gregory DIATCHENKO vs. DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOR the DISTRICT & others
Suffolk. September 4, 2013. - December 24, 2013.Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

Massachusetts Rulings: Commonwealth v Richard Baldwin (9/1997-10/1997): click here

Public Official Letters 

Email response from Representative Lenny Mirra 

Dear Sean,

Thank you for taking the time to write to me about something as difficult as this, I’m sure this whole ordeal has not been easy.

I was living on Ashcroft Circle in Groveland when this horrible crime took place. It was shocking to say the least. So I’m familiar with the case and yes I’m also aware of this SJC ruling. Like you I don’t agree with the ruling and I will do all I can to address it and make sure that Mr. Baldwin never gets out of prison. I’ve always been a believer in strong laws and punishments that protect us from violent criminals and this case shows why we should always be diligent in making sure sentences are carried out.

I did visit the Facebook page and I see that Danielle Avery will be issuing bracelets at Groveland Town Hall tonight. I will do all I can to get there and give my support in any way I can.

Sincerely,

Representative Lenny Mirra
Second Essex District
State House, Room 130
Boston, MA 02133
Office: (617) 722-2130
Cell: (978) 888-5212