Massachusetts man convicted of murdering and raping 23-year-old girlfriend granted parole with conditions

BOSTON – A Massachusetts man convicted of murdering and raping his then girlfriend has been granted parole with conditions.

According to the Massachusetts Parole Board, on April 15, 1988, after a jury trial in Plymouth Superior Court, 24-year-old Jitu’ola Anderson was convicted of the second-degree murder and rape of his 23-year-old girlfriend, Belinda Williams. For the murder conviction, Anderson was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after serving 15 years. He received an eight to ten-year concurrent sentence on the rape conviction.

Anderson appeared before the Parole Board for a review hearing on July 26, 2022, and was represented by Attorney Benjamin Brooks. This was Anderson’s sixth appearance before the Board having been denied after his initial hearing in 2001 and after his review hearings in 2006, 2011, 2015, and 2020.

The Board concluded by unanimous vote that Anderson is a suitable candidate for parole.

On August 18, 1986, Anderson strangled Williams to death. He has been incarcerated for thirty-six years and according to the Board has maintained sobriety throughout his incarceration. He has incurred one disciplinary report in the last ten years. He completed the Sex Offender Treatment Program in 2012 and has been in maintenance since 2015. He has engaged in other rehabilitative programming and has maintained employment. He completed a correspondence course for domestic violence. The Board stated that during the hearing, he presented well and demonstrated insight into his offense. He has family support and will benefit from the gradual transition back into the community through Community Resources for Justice reentry program.

The Board is of the unanimous opinion that Jitu’ola Anderson is rehabilitated and, therefore, merits parole.
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Anderson was granted parole under the following conditions: Reserve to CRJ; Waive work for program; Curfew – must be at home between 10pm and 6am; ELMO-electronic monitoring; 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; Must have substance abuse evaluation and follow recommendations; Counseling for adjustment/transition; Sex A conditions.