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State grants parole to Worcester killer who escaped in 1990

  • Posted by Worcester News Tue at 11:32 PM - Filed in News - #crime  #murder  #Abdul-Barree Mustafa  #Mass. Parole Board  #Armand Patrick Robin  - 1,917 views


    The Mass. Parole Board headquarters in Natick (Google)

    Killer, sentenced to life in 1979, escaped in 1990, caught with gun 4 days later

    NATICK — The Massachusetts Parole Board has voted to grant parole to Abdul-Barree Mustafa, formerly known as Paul O'Neil, who has spent decades in prison for the 1978 second-degree murder of Armand Patrick Robin in Worcester.

    The board's decision, dated July 27th, follows a review hearing held March 10th.

    Mustafa was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after a Worcester Superior Court jury convicted him in 1979 of second-degree murder. 1 member of the 7-member board voted to deny parole.

    According to the parole decision, Robin, 20, was fatally stabbed on December 11th, 1978, during a confrontation with Mustafa, who was 22 and on parole at the time for breaking and entering and larceny convictions. After initially fleeing, Mustafa turned himself in to police several days later.

    Mustafa escaped from MCI-Lancaster in 1990 while serving his life sentence. He was captured 4 days later and was subsequently convicted of escape, carrying a gun without authorization and unlawful possession of ammunition, resulting in additional prison sentences.

    The parole board noted Mustafa was denied parole following hearings in 1995, 1998, 2006 and 2011. He had previously been released on parole after a 2003 review hearing but was returned to custody in 2005 after violating parole conditions and committing drug offenses.

    In its written decision, the board said Mustafa has completed rehabilitative programming, remained disciplinary report-free for more than a decade, maintained steady employment within the Department of Correction, and reported remaining sober since 2005 while complying with medication requirements. The board also found he had developed a re-entry plan and demonstrated rehabilitation compatible with public safety.

    The board said it also considered testimony opposing parole from 2 of Robin's family members and Worcester County Assistant District Attorney Danielle Borges before reaching its decision.

    Mustafa's parole is contingent upon placement in a long-term residential treatment program, preferably at Dismas House or Crozier House, and compliance with numerous conditions, including electronic monitoring, substance abuse testing and treatment, mental health counseling, a nightly curfew and participation in Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings.

    You can read the full decision here.

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