Plymouth County resident who strangled girlfriend to death after abortion argument granted parole with conditions

A Plymouth County resident convicted of murdering girlfriend has been granted parole with conditions.

According to the Board, 20-year-old Christine Alexander, formerly known as Paul Stockwell, strangled 18-year-old Mechelle Foster to death on October 1, 1989, in Hull.

Leading up to the murder, Alexander learned that Foster was 6 weeks pregnant with their child. Alexander wanted Foster to have an abortion because she (Alexander) did not want the responsibility of a child and was concerned about the impact a child would have on her life. Alexander and Foster argued over the abortion, among other things. On the day of the murder, Alexander drove Foster to Hull, where they walked on the beach. The couple returned to Alexander’s car and became sexually intimate. While seated in the car, Alexander choked Foster, who tried to escape from the vehicle. Alexander continued choking her until Foster stopped kicking and fighting, at which point Alexander understood that she was dead. Alexander drove to a dead-end street in Brockton and disposed of Foster’s body in an area that was thick with brush and littered with trash. Alexander covered Foster’s body with grass and left the area. The victim’s body was not recovered until 9 days later.

The medical examiner concluded that Foster’s death was caused by manual strangulation. Scratches, bruises, and injuries to Foster’s body indicated a struggle occurred prior to her death. Alexander told police that she choked Foster, but claimed she only placed her in a “sleeper hold.”

Alexander was convicted of first-degree murder under a deliberate premeditation theory in Plymouth Superior Court on October 18, 1991. Alexander was sentenced to the mandatory term of life in prison without the possibility of parole. 

Alexander 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 with regard to her first- degree murder conviction, Alexander was re-sentenced to life with the possibility of parole after 15 years.

Alexander has been incarcerated for the past 35 years. The Board stated that during her incarceration, Alexander engaged in numerous, significant programming to address her need areas, including Family Violence, Violence Reduction, and Restorative Justice. She also participated in the NEADS program for 5 years. The Board considered Alexander’s age at the time of the offense and her capacity to change. The Board also considered her unique circumstances and increased risk of harm while incarcerated, as well as the report and testimony of Christa Maxant, LMHC, related to Alexander’s history of gender dysphoria. Alexander presented with a solid re-entry plan to address her ongoing needs. The Board considered the opposition testimony of Plymouth Assistant District Attorney Karen Palumbo. The Board also considered the opposition testimony of the victim’s sister, as well as the wife of the victim’s nephew. 

The conditions of Alexander’s probation include: Long Term Residential Program – Bethany House or other suitable program; Report to assigned MA Parole Office on day of release; Waive work for program; Electronic monitoring for duration of program; Supervise for drugs with testing in accordance with Agency policy; Supervise for liquor abstinence with testing in accordance with Agency policy; No contact with victim(s)’ family; Must have mental health counseling for adjustment.