Board Denies Parole For Man Convicted In Middleboro Murder

The state parole board has denied release to a man who was convicted decades ago in the beating and strangulation death of a 79-year-old man.

Jeffrey Roberio was 17 when he and another man broke into Lewis Jennings' Middleboro mobile home in 1986. Authorities say he beat Jennings to death while robbing the house.

Roberio was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole.

The Supreme Judicial Court ruled in December 2013 that mandatory life sentences for juveniles without the possibility for parole was unconstitutional. The retroactive decision gave Roberio the opportunity to ask for parole at a June 25 hearing.

The parole board voted unanimously Thursday to deny Roberio's request, citing a failure to participate in enough programs in prison.  (Associated Press)