Bristol County man previously released on parole after kidnapping, raping, sodomizing nurse, denied parole after having it revoked

A Bristol County man has been denied parole after previously being released on parole due to a violent and disturbing crime.

According to the Parole Board, on April 2, 1977, 20-year-old Robert Cantell “broke into a nursing home in New Bedford at approximately 3:00 am. He forcibly abducted a female nurse at knifepoint and then drove her to an isolated area. After forcing her to dance in the nude and to repeat obscenities, Cantell proceeded to rape and sodomize the victim. Afterwards, he abandoned her.” 

“On December 2, 1977, after a jury trial in Bristol Superior Court, Cantell was found guilty of rape and received a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole. On that same date, Cantell was found guilty of kidnapping and received an 8-to-10-year sentence to run from and after his life sentence. In addition, Cantell was found guilty of armed burglary for which he was sentenced to 10 to 12 years, assault by means of a dangerous weapon for which he was sentenced to 3 to 5 years, and engaging in unnatural acts for which he was sentenced to 3 to 5 years. All sentences were ordered to run concurrently with his life sentence.

“In 1978, Cantell’s convictions were affirmed.

“Parole was denied following an initial hearing in 1992, and after review hearings in 1993, 1994, 1997, 2003, and 2006. After a review hearing in 2010, Cantell was granted parole and released; however, his parole was revoked approximately five months later. Subsequently, Cantell was denied parole after his review hearings in 2015 and 2021. 

In the Board’s decision to deny parole, they noted that “Cantell needs to continue his rehabilitative efforts. Since his last hearing, he has incurred nine disciplinary reports, including 3 for possession of pornographic materials. He has been in Sex Offender Treatment Program (SOTP) Maintenance Group, but otherwise has completed minimal programming. He lacks insight into his behaviors and, in particular, his sexually motivated behaviors. The Board concludes that Cantell has not demonstrated a level of rehabilitation that would make his release compatible with the welfare of society. The Board considered public testimony from Cantell’s friend in support of parole. The Board heard testimony from Bristol County Assistant District Attorney Jose Vasquez in opposition to parole.”

Cantell’s next parole review is in 3 years.