Bristol County man to be paroled on his 7th attempt after killing his girlfriend

A Bristol County man will be paroled on his 7th attempt after being convicted of killing his girlfriend.

According to the Massachusetts Parole Board, on April 15, 1983, the now 84-year-old Joseph Weinstein shot and killed his girlfriend, Beatrice “Bunny” Burns, while she lay sleeping in their apartment in Easton. Weinstein was initially admitted to Bridgewater State Hospital for psychiatric evaluation and treatment, and he was deemed incompetent to stand trial. On July 28, 1987, the court found Weinstein competent to stand trial. On September 8, 1988, in Bristol Superior Court, Weinstein pleaded guilty to murder in the second degree for the killing of Burns. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole.

Weinstein appeared before the Board on May 23, 2023, for a review hearing. Parole was denied following prior hearings in 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013, 2015, and 2019. After consideration of all relevant facts, including the nature of the underlying offense, the age of the inmate at the time of offense, criminal record, institutional record, the inmate’s testimony at the hearing, and the views of the public as expressed at the hearing or in written submissions to the Board, they concluded that Weinstein is a suitable candidate for parole.

The Board stated that Weinstein has been incarcerated for 40 years and has significant medical issues and mild cognitive impairments. Weinstein also has a history of mental health issues, and, it is noted, was hospitalized at Bridgewater State Hospital from 1983 to 1987, when deemed competent to stand trial. Weinstein earned his GED, completed some college courses, and completed programming to address his history of violence and addiction. He is actively engaged in [mental health] treatment. He has only 2 D-reports and has been sober for over 40 years, according to the Board. Weinstein has a long-standing relationship with the DOC northern sector Rabbi, who provides him with counsel.

The Board considered the re-entry plan. and a prior forensic report. The Board also considered testimony from two members of the victim’s family who spoke in opposition to parole, as well as testimony from ADA Jason Mohan from Bristol County District Attorney’s Office who spoke in opposition.

As part of the conditions of Weinstein’s parole, he is relocated to an approved residential care facility that can meet his needs, curfew at Parole Officer’s discretion; electronic monitoring at Parole Officer’s discretion, must take prescribed medication, supervised for drug 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; and must have mental health counseling for mood disorder.