Massachusetts man granted parole with conditions after man shot in the face, stabbed nearly 80 times

A Massachusetts man sentenced for his role in a brutal Bay State slaying has been granted parole with conditions.

According to the Parole Board, 19-year-old Thomas Moran was discovered in a Medford park on April 28, 1994, with a gunshot wound to his face and 79 stab wounds on his body. On the day of the murder, 20-year-old Jeffrey Hardy was with Moran, Gerald Sullivan, Richard Alison, and another male. On the afternoon of the murder, they played basketball and drank beer. Hardy purchased marijuana treated with PCP, which Moran smoked that afternoon and evening when the group was at a friend’s house. Moran made numerous comments throughout the evening that upset Hardy. Apparently, the effects of the drugs were not strong, so Moran stated that the drug was “fake” and that Hardy “got beat.” He also referred to Hardy and Sullivan as “chumps” and “idiots.” During the gathering at the friend’s house, Hardy left for about 15 minutes and returned with a firearm tucked in his pants. Mr. Hardy showed the gun to another male. 

The group went to a bar and then drove around to a nearby park. At the park, Hardy instructed everyone to get out of the car and where to stand, stating that a dealer would be coming their way. A man saw Sullivan point a gun at Moran’s head. He then saw Hardy grab the gun and shoot Moran, who exclaimed, “Hardy shot me in the mouth.” With the exception of an unnamed male., the men stabbed the victim repeatedly. Another witness testified to admissions made by Hardy following the crime, including, “Did you hear how many times we got him? 80 times.” 

The Board stated that Hardy was convicted of first-degree murder by a jury, in Middlesex Superior Court, on March 30, 1995. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole to be served concurrently with another sentence he was serving at the time. 

Hardy became parole eligible following the Supreme Judicial Court’s decision in Commonwealth v. Mattis, 493 Mass. 216 (2024), where the court held that sentencing individuals who were ages 18 through 20 at the time of the offense (emerging adults) to life without the possibility of parole is unconstitutional. As a result of the SJC’s decision regarding his first-degree murder conviction, Hardy was re-sentenced to life with the possibility of parole after 15 years. 

The Board noted that Hardy appeared before the Board for an initial hearing after becoming parole eligible under the Mattis decision. The Board considered Hardy’s disciplinary history that included violence, but he has remained disciplinary report free for 15 years. He has been sober for 29 years. He has engaged in programming. The Board considered the report of Dr. Joel Nunez. According to the Board, Hardy currently is at low risk on the risk assessments. The Board heard testimony in support of parole from two family members and a friend of Hardy. The Board heard testimony in opposition to parole from Moran’s brother and sister. A state police detective, a member of the clergy, and Middlesex County Assistant District Attorney Adrienne Lynch also testified in opposition to parole. The Board concluded that Hardy has demonstrated a level of rehabilitation that would make his release compatible with the welfare of society. 

Special conditions of Hardy’s parole include: Waive work for 2 weeks; Electronic monitoring for 6 months; Must be at home 10PM to 6AM or curfew at discretion of Parole Officer; Supervise for drugs with testing in accordance with Agency policy; Supervise for liquor abstinence with 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 adjustment; Residential Program CRJ after 6 months in lower security.