Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Massachusetts man who beat classmate to death as teen granted parole after 37 years
Www.wcvb.com ^ | 11/06/2024 | Veronica Haynes

Posted on 11/06/2024 2:37:49 PM PST by massmike

CANTON, Mass. — A Massachusetts man convicted as a teen of killing a 14-year-old classmate "for the heck of it" in Canton has been granted parole — 37 years after he was sent to prison.

Rod Matthews was convicted in 1988 of second-degree murder in the November 1986 beating death of 14-year-old Shaun Ouillette, who he lured into the woods and bludgeoned with a baseball bat. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

According to court documents, in late October 1986, then-14-year-old Matthews told two classmates that he "wanted to know what it was like to kill someone." Matthews decided to kill Ouillette because he "would be easy to get to and he probably would be the least missed ... (because he) didn't have many friends," according to court documents.

On Nov. 20, Matthews invited Ouillette to his house after school and suggested that they go into the woods to build a fort. While in the woods, Matthews repeatedly hit Ouillette in the head with a baseball bat, crushing his skull.

Matthews told his friend about the murder and showed the friend the teen's body. When the friend asked why he killed Ouillette, Matthews said, "Just for the heck of it," according to court documents.

(Excerpt) Read more at wcvb.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; US: Massachusetts
KEYWORDS: 1986; 1988; baseballbat; canton; cold; curiosity; massachusetts; murder; ouillette; rodmatthews; sociopath
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-23 next last

1 posted on 11/06/2024 2:37:49 PM PST by massmike
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: massmike

Sounds like a prime case for execution.


2 posted on 11/06/2024 2:41:51 PM PST by fwdude
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: fwdude

For such a relatively small town, Canton has certainly produced more than it’s fair share of lunatics over the years.


3 posted on 11/06/2024 2:49:00 PM PST by massmike (I'm only here to observe these earthlings.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: massmike

It really has.


4 posted on 11/06/2024 2:53:16 PM PST by Andy'smom (Proud member of the basket of deplorables)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: massmike

Today he wants to know what it feels like to murder someone as a 50 year old man, which would be a new experience for him.


5 posted on 11/06/2024 2:55:57 PM PST by ChronicMA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: massmike

Just a matter of time until he gets the itch again. The guy should be required to wear a sign that says, “Warning! I’ve killed someone just for the heck of it. You could be next.”


6 posted on 11/06/2024 2:58:20 PM PST by Chewbarkah
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ChronicMA

Definitely should have been executed.


7 posted on 11/06/2024 2:59:20 PM PST by TheDon (Resist the usurpers! Remember the J6 political prisoners!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: massmike

Here’s a better idea.... Just “for the heck of it” ... Let him stay in prison until he dies.


8 posted on 11/06/2024 3:02:24 PM PST by jerod (Nazis were essentially Socialist in Hugo Boss uniforms... Get over it!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: massmike

He should have been executed. He certainly should not ever see the outside of a prison cell again at the very least.


9 posted on 11/06/2024 3:03:36 PM PST by FLT-bird
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: massmike

Now they get out on bail.


10 posted on 11/06/2024 3:05:58 PM PST by dljordan (What would Michael Collins do?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chewbarkah
The guy should be required to wear a sign that says, “Warning! I’ve killed someone just for the heck of it. You could be next.”

Definitely would hate to have him as a neighbor!

11 posted on 11/06/2024 3:12:59 PM PST by roadcat ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: massmike

Shaun Ouillette remains dead. Canton man should remain in jail or have a short one way stint on death row.


12 posted on 11/06/2024 3:15:50 PM PST by Tudorfly (All things are possible within the will of God.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TheDon

I agree.


13 posted on 11/06/2024 3:15:54 PM PST by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: jerod

Well said.


14 posted on 11/06/2024 3:16:03 PM PST by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: fwdude

Obviously.


15 posted on 11/06/2024 3:16:17 PM PST by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: massmike

“I shot a man to watch him die.”

Dude, that was just a song!


16 posted on 11/06/2024 3:18:59 PM PST by Larry Lucido (Donate! Don't just post clickbait!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: massmike

If that guy killed one of mine, he would be dead within a week.


17 posted on 11/06/2024 3:30:46 PM PST by steel_resolve (The Sleeper Must Awaken. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: massmike

“ For such a relatively small town, Canton has certainly produced more than its fair share of lunatics over the years.”
***********************************************************

And it continues to this day in that town. Some of its current crop of lunatics are living in “shawk and hurrah”.


18 posted on 11/06/2024 3:37:00 PM PST by House Atreides (I’m now ULTRA-MAGA-PRO-MAX.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: jerod

Ditto


19 posted on 11/06/2024 3:38:18 PM PST by leaning conservative (snow coming, school cancelled, yayyyyyyyyy!!!!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: massmike

Time for the dead kid’s relatives to take charge.


20 posted on 11/06/2024 4:10:36 PM PST by Midwesterner53
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-23 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson