Massachusetts man granted parole with conditions after murdering classmate Shaun Ouillette “just for the heck of it”

A Massachusetts man has been granted parole with conditions after being convicted of murdering a classmate.

According to the Parole Board, in late October 1986, 14-year-old Rod Matthews of Canton told two of his classmates that he “wanted to know what it was like to kill someone.” Matthews decided to kill Shaun Ouillette. He later told his friends that he selected Ouillette because he “would be easy to get to and he probably would be the least missed… [because he] didn’t have many friends.”

On November 20, 1986, Matthews invited Ouillette to his house after school and suggested that they go into the woods to build a fort. While in the woods, Matthews proceeded to strike Ouillette in the head with a baseball bat. He swung with enough force to severely crush Ouillette’s skull. After repeatedly striking Ouillette in the head, Matthews used snow to clean the blood off the bat and then left the woods.

Shortly after killing Ouillette, Matthews walked to a friend’s house and told him about the murder. Matthews then took his friend to see Ouillette’s body. When the friend asked Matthews why he had killed Ouillette, he replied, “Just for the heck of it.” Matthews’s friend told another friend about the killing. The other friend refused to believe it until days later, when Matthews and the first friend took him to view Ouillette’s body. Matthews then threatened the two friends, saying that they might be his next victims if they told anyone about the murder. 

In early December, one of Ouillette’s friends sent an anonymous letter to the police, stating that Matthews had killed Ouillette and describing the location of the body. Investigators located Ouillette’s body on December 11, 1986. On December 13, Matthews was arrested and arraigned in Stoughton District Court, in a juvenile session, on a charge of delinquency by reason of the murder of Ouillette. Subsequently, a judge ordered Matthews to be transferred to the Superior Court Department for arraignment as an adult. On July 5, 1987, a Norfolk County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Matthews with murder in the first degree. 

On March 10, 1988, following a jury trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Matthews was convicted of murder in the second degree for the death of Ouillette. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Parole was denied following an initial hearing in 2001, and after review hearings in 2007, 2016, and 2021. On June 4, 2024, Rod Matthews appeared before the Board for a review hearing. In November of 2024 the Board released their decision to grant parole with conditions.

Given his age at the time of the offense and the nature of the crime, the Board has required intensive rehabilitative programming to address his needs, which he has completed and benefitted from, according to the Board.

The Board’s decision and reasoning is as follows:

“Since his last hearing, Matthews has completed several additional programs that increased his insight, empathy, and appreciation for the harm he has caused the victims and the community. Mr. Matthews was working as a medical companion six days a week assisting the most vulnerable population with their daily living needs. He has had no violence in 37 years. Mr. Matthews has no history of substance misuse. The Board considered the factors related to the Diatchenko/Miller decisions and notes Mr. Matthews’s history of adverse childhood experiences and untreated mental health issues as contributing to his offense. The Board considered the expert forensic evaluation by Dr. Kinscherff who assessed Mr. Matthews as low risk for violence and recidivism. Dr. Kinscherff stated in his report that Mr. Matthews no longer requires incarceration to secure community safety; the goal of specific deterrence has been achieved. Mr. Matthews rates low on the LSCMI. Mr. Matthews has engaged in and benefitted from mental health treatment. He has achieved 72 college credits and has developed occupational skills. Mr. Matthews has a significant support system to assist with his re-entry needs. The Board considered public testimony in rendering its decision including Dr. Kinscherff, Dr. Fox, Mr. Matthews’s niece, and a mentor who spoke in support of parole. The Board also considered testimony from three members of the victim’s family, Canton Chief of Police Helena Rafferty, and Norfolk County ADA Michael McGee, all of whom spoke in opposition to Mr. Matthews’s parole. The Board concludes that Rod Matthews has demonstrated a level of rehabilitation that would make his release compatible with the welfare of society.”

The special conditions for Matthews’ parole includes: Community Resources for Justice program for at least 90 days; Waive work for 2 weeks; Curfew – must be home between 10PM and 6AM; Electronic Monitoring for first 6 months upon release and then at Parole Officer’s recommendation to the Board; 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 stay out of city/town where the victim(s)’ family resides; Must have a substance abuse evaluation and must comply with the recommended treatment plan; Must have mental health counseling for generalized anxiety disorder, dysthymia disorder, and social anxiety; Must sign all release and authorization of information, treatment, and medical forms.