Watch CBS News

Parole Board Shake-Up: 5 Members Resign

BOSTON (CBS/AP) – There has been a major shake-up at the state parole board. Five board members resigned Thursday, in fallout from the fatal shooting of a police officer last month.

WBZ-TV's Karen Anderson reports from Woburn.

A review of the entire parole board was ordered after Dominic Cinelli, a parolee released from a triple life sentence, fatally shot Woburn police officer John Maguire following a robbery on Dec. 26. Cinelli was also killed.

WBZ News Radio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports.

Podcast

Woburn Police Officer John Maguire
Woburn Police Officer John Maguire was killed in the line of duty on December 26. (credit: Woburn Police Dept.)

The five board members who resigned were on the board when Cinelli was paroled in 2009, after a 2008 hearing.

In announcing the shake-up Thursday, Governor Deval Patrick said that, while Cinelli bears the responsibility for the death of Maguire, the parole board did not do all it could to protect public safety.

WBZ's Jon Keller analyzes Thursday's shake-up.

Woburn Mayor Scott Galvin told WBZ News Radio he thought Patrick did the right thing.

WBZ News Radio 1030's Lana Jones reports.

Podcast

"He did a thoughtful investigation and we're very grateful for what he did," Galvin said.

"I think it's a step in the right direction."

mayorgalvin
Woburn Mayor Galvin At Thursday Press Conference (CBS/Bernice Corpuz)

Also Thursday, the man who served as Executive Director of the parole board at the time of the Cinelli ruling, Donald Giancioppo, resigned from his state job at the Department of Corrections.

Only two parole board members remain at this point.  One of them, Cesar Archilla, has been named acting board chairman. Patrick named Josh Wall, now the first assistant district attorney in Suffolk County, as the board's interim executive director. He added that he intends to name him chairman.

In a news conference at the State House, Patrick said he would seek to remove other officials from the agency.

"I've instructed the parole board not to release any prisoner on parole for a violent crime, or a crime involving firearms or other dangerous weapons, unless satisfied that the parole staff is able properly to supervise all parolees," said Gov. Patrick.

Patrick said he'd file legislation Friday that requires a violent felon with two prior serious convictions receive the maximum sentence for third conviction.

(TM and © Copyright 2010 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.