Mother of Murdered Man Forgives Rod Matthews

Image Credit: WHDH, 7-News

CANTON, MA - The first juvenile to be tried as an adult in Massachusetts stood in front of a parole board for the fourth time Tuesday.

Rod Matthews, 43, said he was "deeply sorry" for the 1986 murder of Shaun Ouillette. A 14-year-old at the time, Matthews took Ouillette into the Canton woods and hit him with a baseball bat, killing the teen. One friend testified at Matthews' trial that he said he did it because he wanted to know what it felt like to kill someone. After, Matthews took other students into the woods to see Shaun's body and threatened them if they told anyone what they saw.

Matthews was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

During the parole hearing, Jeanne Quinn, Ouillette's mother, said she did not believe his sincerity, but said she forgives Matthews for the murder.

"For the sake of my own survival, to find my way back from the hate and rage I've had," Quinn said according to WHDH. "I can't live like that anymore, I can't."

Matthews was denied parole in 2001 and 2007. A 2012 parole bid was withdrawn.

A decision on whether to release Matthews could take months, according to the parole board.

Liz Taurasi contributed to this article.