30 years after Canton murder, victim's family fights against parole

CANTON, Mass. — After nearly three decades in prison for the baseball bat murder of his 14-year-old Canton classmate, Rod Matthews appeared before the parole board Tuesday for the third  asking to be released.

He is convicted of bringing Shaun Ouillette in to the woods near his home and beating him to death.

Matthews is fighting for his freedom, but Shaun's family wants to keep him in prison and says he will kill again.

In a lengthy hearing, Matthews told the parole board he was obsessed with the idea of murder for weeks and that Shaun was one of three boys he considered killing.

“As sick as it sounds, I wanted to prove I can murder him,” Matthews said.

Matthews admitted he led Ouillette into the woods near his Canton home on the pretense of building a fort and then he bludgeoned him to death.

Matthews broke down when he described bringing a friend to see Shaun's body.

“He wanted to see where Shaun was. I could prove to him and I brought him in,” Matthews said. “I wanted to prove to him that I did it.”

Thirty years later, Matthews claims he’s a changed man that he'd live with his mother and work with his brother if he were released.

Shaun's mother said Matthews’ tears didn’t impress her.

“I’m sure he's changed, but I don't believe a leopard can change its spots,” she said. “The first time he gets the urge, he's going to kill again.”

Cox Media Group