Plymouth County man granted parole with conditions after murder of 19-year-old during fight

A Massachusetts man has been granted parole with conditions after the murder of another male.

According to the Massachusetts Parole Board, on December 31, 2007, 15-year-old Emmanuel Okoro of Brockton had been drinking and smoking marijuana with friends and family. Eventually, Okoro and his companions attempted to go to a nearby New Year’s Eve party, but they were turned away at the door by 19-year-old Markeen Starks of Brockton and another young man. Starks was known to Okoro and had been involved in a series of violent incidents that appeared to constitute retaliation against Stark’s sister after she had spoken to police about an earlier killing. 

At some point before midnight, Okoro and his companions left the site of the New Year’s Eve party and went home. After the party ended, a crowd gathered outside the party and a fight broke out. Okoro and his companions saw the crowd and went toward it. Okoro, who was armed with a knife, and Starks, confronted one another. Although it is unclear who started the physical fight between them, Okoro stabbed Starks multiple times, killing him.

On December 28, 2010, following a jury trial in Plymouth County Superior Court, Okoro was convicted of murder in the second-degree for the death of Starks. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Parole was denied following an initial hearing in 2023.

Recently, the Board allowed a reconsideration to review Okoro’s parole decision due to what they said is his substantial efforts since the last hearing. Okoro has earned his Hi- Set, remained d-report free, and continued to participate in rehabilitative programming. The Board considered the evaluation of Dr. Kinscherff and also considered the application of the Miller/Diatchenko factors in addition to testimony from those for and against parole. The Board concluded by unanimous decision that Okoro has demonstrated a level of rehabilitation that would make his release compatible with the welfare of society. 

Parole is granted after 6 months in lower security.

Special conditions for parole include: Waive work for 2 weeks or program; Electronic monitoring for 6 months, then at PO’s request for extension; 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 mental health counseling for adjustment; Residential program CRJ.