A Massachusetts man who played a role in a robbery and murder has been granted parole with conditions.
According to the Parole Board, on the morning of July 11, 2008, Holbrook police officers located 25-year-old Osahon Ighodaro deceased in his apartment. He had been hog tied and was found lying face down on the floor. According to WCVB, Ighodaro was a Nigerian immigrant who worked at a Boston parking lot and was targeted after stating at a nightclub he had electronics at home. He was tied up and beaten to death.
Another occupant of the apartment reported that on the previous evening, she heard someone knock on the door, followed by men entering the apartment screaming. They tied her up, and she eventually passed out. When she woke up the following morning, she untied herself, found Ighodaro’s body, and ran out of the apartment to seek help.
Investigators processed the scene for fingerprints and other forensic evidence and determined that several belongings and money had been stolen from the apartment.
Then 25-year-old Kenchester Martin was identified as a suspect and later arrested.
On December 10, 2012, in Norfolk County Superior court, Martin pleaded guilty to murder in the second degree for the death of Ighodaro. On December 12, 2012, he was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Martin also pleaded guilty to two counts of unarmed robbery and one count of unarmed burglary, for which he was sentenced to 12-15 years in state prison, and one count of kidnapping, for which he was sentenced to 9-10 years in state prison, all to be served concurrently with his life sentence.
Martin appeared before the Board for the second time. According to the Board, since the last hearing he has accepted the recommendations of the Board. He has completed programming related to his need areas including Alternatives to Violence and Restorative Justice. He has taken on leadership roles. He is also engaged in educational programming, in particular with Emerson’s Prison Initiative. He has a strong support system including a mentor wo has been engaged with him for many years as well as mentors for his educational achievements. The Board concludes by unanimous decision that Kenchester Martin has demonstrated a level of rehabilitation that would make his release compatible with the welfare of society.
Joshua Berrios of Taunton was granted parole for his role in the incident in 2024.
Jeffrey Anthony of Norfolk County was also granted parole for his role in the incident in 2024.
Special conditions of Martin’s parole include: Waive work for 2 weeks or program; Must be home between 10 PM and 6 AM, at PO’s discretion; Electronic monitoring for 6 months; Supervise for drugs, testing in accordance with Agency policy; Supervise for liquor abstinence, testing in accordance with Agency policy; Report to assigned MA Parole Office on day of release; No contact with victim’s family; Must have mental health counseling for adjustment; CRJ.
