Massachusetts man previously convicted of killing relative granted parole with certain conditions

A Massachusetts man, who was previously convicted of killing a relative, has been granted parole with certain conditions.

According to the Parole Board, on September 27, 2002, a then 23-year-old John Fernandes was indicted by a Plymouth County Grand Jury for first degree murder in the death of 21-year-old Larry Monteiro in Brockton. After a trial, on May 18, 2005, a mistrial was declared when the jury reported a deadlock. After a retrial, on November 25, 2005, the jury found Fernandes guilty of second-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Fernandes and Monteiro were related through marriage and knew each other from a young age. A witness stated that Fernandes thought one of the men that was in the car he shot at, wounded his brother a month before. It turned out that Monteiro tried to save Fernandes’ brother in the incident.

Fernandes appeared before the Parole Board for a review hearing on July 7, 2022. Fernandes was denied parole after his initial hearing in 2017.

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

The Board stated that Fernandes now accepts full responsibility for the murder and has satisfied all program requirements. Since his last hearing, Fernandes committed fully to his rehabilitation through intensive programming, according to the Board. He completed the thirty-two-week Restorative Justice program and became a facilitator. He also completed GMP, Repairing Harm, Able Minds, and Victim Impact Education. His last disciplinary report was in 2016. He has been employed in the kitchen since 2013. He obtained his GED in 2000. Fernandes identified the Dismas House as a program that would aid in his transition back into the community.

As part of his parole, Fernandes will be transferred to Dismas House or another long-term residential program after six months in lower security.

Other special conditions include: Curfew at PO’s discretion; ELMO-electronic monitoring at PO’s discretion; 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 substance abuse evaluation and follow recommendations; Counseling for adjustment/transition.