BOSTON — The Massachusetts Parole Board denied parole to James Skinner, who pleaded guilty to second degree murder in Lynn on Jan. 12, 1994, in a decision released by the board late on Monday.
The Board also imposed the maximum review period of 5 years.
“This defendant poses a serious risk to public safety,” Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said in a statement Wednesday afternoon. “After pleading guilty to killing an unarmed 62-year-old man, he has been kept in segregation or has been transferred out-of-state to maintain the safety of the prison population. He has even been charged with killing another inmate.”
On November 23, 1992, Mr. Skinner, along with two co-defendants, forcibly entered the victim’s apartment, at 196 Washington Street in Lynn, with the intention of stealing drugs and money. While the two co-defendants struggled with the victim’s son, Mr. Skinner stabbed Americo Maldonado, who was 62 at the time, multiple times, including a fatal wound to his chest. Mr. Skinner was later arrested and charged with murder.
The Daily Item will a complete report on this story in Thursday’s edition.
