Connecticut man convicted of killing two New York men at southeastern Massachusetts motel granted parole with conditions

A Hartford, CT man convicted of killing two New York men in a southeastern Massachusetts motel room has been granted parole with conditions.

According to the Massachusetts Parole Board, on November 3, 1999, in Barnstable Superior Court, a then 22-year-old Carlos Lopez pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of Jose Vasquez and Wilfredo Hernandez and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. The concurrent life sentences were ordered to run consecutive to a sentence of 4 1/2 to 5 years for larceny from a person.

Information provided by the Board stated that on May 9, 1998, Vasquez and Hernandez were discovered in the early morning hours at the American Holiday Motel in Yarmouth. The cause of death for both individuals was blunt force trauma to the head. In a statement to authorities, Lopez indicated that he met the two men in New York City and agreed to join them on a trip to Massachusetts. In Massachusetts, the group engaged in an electronics store scam, while staying at the hotel. Lopez claimed that on the night of May 9, 1998, both men began making unwanted sexual advances towards him. He reached around, grabbed a large battery off the ground, and struck the first man in the head. The men fell off the bed. Lopez then struck the second man who fell to the floor. Lopez took money from one of the victims for bus fare back to Hartford. Lopez fled to Puerto Rico, but was apprehended at the San Juan airport. He was extradited back to Massachusetts on July 25, 1998.

Lopez has incurred several serious disciplinary infractions over the course of his incarceration, however, his last infraction occurred in 2015, for an aggravated assault on another inmate in the kitchen, resulting in a 12-month placement in the Disciplinary Detention Unit. In 2012 and 2006, Lopez was involved in an aggravated assault on another inmate, resulting in the inmate having to be treated at an outside hospital.

The Board stated that this was Lopez’s third appearance before the Board and since the last hearing, he has continued on his path of self-development. He completed the Violence Reduction program, as well as Alternatives to Violence. He has engaged in the Self-Improvement program. He has been employed as a runner. He has been studying to obtain his Hi-Set. He has family support to assist with his re-entry. The Board incorporates Lopez’s release plan as encouraged by his legal representation. The Board considered public testimony that was submitted in opposition to parole. The Board concludes that Carlos Lopez has demonstrated a level of rehabilitation that would make his release compatible with the welfare of society. 

Parole was granted to Interstate Compact – Connecticut, but not before serving six months in lower security.

Other special conditions of parole include: Long-Term Residential Program or CRJ for 3-6 months; Waive work for 2 weeks; 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 trauma history and adjustment.