Massachusetts man denied parole in the shooting death of 25-year-old Derrick Wilson

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Parole Board recently concluded by a unanimous vote that a Massachusetts man be denied parole after murdering another man.

According to the Board, on November 18, 2010, after a jury trial in Plymouth Superior Court, Kenneth Faulk was convicted of second-degree murder in the shooting death of 25-year-old Derrick Wilson. Faulk was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

On April 30, 2007, Faulk, who was 19 at the time, entered a Brockton apartment building with Wilson right behind him, which was captured on surveillance footage. The video showed Faulk appear to speak to Wilson, after which Wilson followed him up a set of stairs. Two minutes later, Wilson slid feet first down the stairs, where he lay struggling. Within seconds, Faulk came down the stairs, stepped over Wilson, and left the building. A few minutes later, Faulk returned and kicked Wilson in the foot and head. It was determined that Wilson died from a gunshot wound to the chest.

Faulk initially denied entering the building with Wilson. After being shown still images from the video, Faulk acknowledged his presence, but claimed not to know if he heard gunshots or if there was any kind of fight or struggle on the stairs. He stated that he kicked Wilson to wake him up. DNA subsequently connected Faulk to a cigarette butt at the second-floor landing. DNA evidence also linked a projectile found in the wall at the top of the second-floor landing to Wilson. No weapon was recovered. Strands of beads worn by Wilson were found scattered, including one at the top of the landing, which suggested a struggle.

Faulk, now 34-years-old, appeared before the Parole Board for an initial hearing on March 10, 2022. He was represented by student attorneys from Harvard Law School’s Prison Legal Assistance Project.

Faulk told the Board that he was exposed to violence from a young age, namely witnessing his father abuse his mother. He was shot at age 14. As an adolescent, Faulk sold marijuana and cocaine (which he also used) to support his family’s needs. Faulk stated that all he knew was “flight or fight” and responded negatively to situations where he felt threatened, harmed, or in danger. Faulk felt that “[he] was in danger, so [he] immediately reacted” when he murdered Wilson over a disagreement about marijuana. Board Members noted, however, that Faulk did not admit responsibility for the murder for 11 years. Faulk stated that he lives with guilt and regret for what he did to Wilson and his family.

The Board recognized Faulk’s educational achievements, while incarcerated, as well as the completion of several programs to include Restorative Justice, Emotional Awareness, and Violence Reduction. The Board stated that despite his engagement in programming, Faulk has demonstrated a problematic adjustment as evidenced by the accrual of 51 disciplinary reports. He shared that he is learning to accept the recent diagnoses of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder as part of his rehabilitation.

Faulk’s mother, daughter, and cousin testified in support of parole. The Board considered the testimony and letter in opposition to parole from the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.

The Board believes that Faulk has not demonstrated a level of rehabilitative progress that would make his release compatible with the welfare of society. The Board notes that he takes full responsibility for the murder, although he acknowledged this for the first time in 2018. The Board would like to see Faulk apply what he has learned in programming to his rehabilitative progress.

Faulk’s next appearance before the Board will take place in three years.