Southeastern Massachusetts man that admitted to murdering roommate granted parole with conditions

A southeastern Massachusetts man that admitted to murdering his roommate was recently granted parole with conditions after a hearing.

According to the Massachusetts Parole Board, on July 25, 2003, in Barnstable Superior Court, Troy Ashley of Mashpee pled guilty to second degree murder in the death of 42-year-old Frederick Brown and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. On the same day, Ashley pled guilty to Armed Assault to Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, to wit: a firearm on a second victim who survived. He received concurrent terms of 12 to 15 years in state prison.

Ashley appeared for his second parole hearing on May 3, 2022. He was denied parole after his initial hearing in 2018. The Board recently concluded by a unanimous vote that Ashley is a suitable candidate for parole.

According to information supplied by the Board, on October 14, 2001, the Mashpee Police Department received a 911 call from a then 32-year-old Ashley, informing them that he shot Brown at his home on Main Street. Upon arrival, police found Brown unresponsive, suffering from a single gunshot wound to the chest. Brown was declared deceased after transport to the hospital. After an investigation, police learned that Ashley had been living with Brown at his residence. On the night of the shooting, another man was visiting the residence, as well. After a dispute over drugs in the early morning hours of October 14, Ashley retrieved a .22 caliber rifle and shot Brown in the chest. Hearing the shot, the other man entered the room and observed Ashley holding the rifle and Brown on the ground. A struggle then ensued between the other man and Ashley, during which time Ashley pointed the gun at him. The man, however, successfully disengaged from the struggle and ran from the home. A few hours later, Ashley called 911 and reported the crime, identifying himself as the shooter.

The Board stated that Ashley currently resides and participates in the Residential Treatment program. He is employed as a unit runner. The Board notes that he is an open mental health case and sustained a TBI when he was 18 years old. He has completed programming and his institutional adjustment has improved over the last five years. He has been compliant with this treatment for many years and has been sober for approximately seven years. The murder appears to be related to Ashley’s intoxication, mental health issues, and the traumatic brain injury, according to the Board.

The Board is of the unanimous opinion that Troy Ashley is rehabilitated and, therefore, merits parole.

Among Ashley’s special conditions of parole are: Reserve to Mission Care or secure nursing facility; 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; No contact with victim(s); Counseling for adjustment/transition; Must have mental health counseling; AA/NA at least 3 times/week.