Philbrook died today before he was released.

 

Because of a law signed by former Governor Charlie Baker, prisoners — including those convicted of first and second-degree murder — are allowed to petition for medical parole. Shockingly, no exclusions were written into the law for violent offenders serving life sentences.

 

For the past few years, my family has been forced to relive the trauma of this tragedy over and over again. Every few months, Philbrook would file a petition for medical release. Each time, we had to write letters opposing it and prepare for a hearing. The moment one petition was denied, another would be submitted — and the cycle would begin again.

This law must change.

Philbrook was serving life without the possibility of parole for a reason. Yet he was granted medical parole due to prostate cancer and limited mobility. He was to be released into a nursing home or live with a family member — with no requirement for an ankle monitor.

I started the petition not only to restrict where he could be placed but also to protect the nursing home residents.

Again: this law must change.

A person convicted of a violent crime and sentenced to life without parole should never be eligible for medical release.