Rod Matthews Seeks Parole Again in 1986 Murder of Classmate

CANTON, MA - Rod Matthews has been behind bars for 30 years since he was convicted at the age of 14 in the murder of his classmate Shaun Ouillette in 1986. Tuesday morning he'll go before a parole board seeking freedom for the fourth time since his conviction.

His victim's mother Jeanne Quinn will be at that hearing in Natick, for the fourth time since his conviction, once again facing her son's killer.

Matthews and Ouillette were both 14 and students at Canton High School in November 1986 when Matthews took Ouillette into the 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, who was the first juvenile in Massachusetts to be tried as an adult, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

In both 2001 and 2007, Matthews was denied parole.

In 2001 when asked if he would be able to resist the urge to take a life again, he calmly told the board he couldn't guarantee it. In 2007, parole officers were concerned Matthews hadn't addressed why he killed and weren't sure he wouldn't commit another violent crime. A 2012 parole bid was later withdrawn.

Quinn, who won't be allowed to directly address Matthews during the hearing told WHDH, 7-News last week she has one clear message for him:

"I will do everything that is humanly possible to keep you in [jail] until there is a tag on your toe like the one that was on my son's," Quinn said.

Matthews is expected to face the parole board Tuesday morning in Natick.

Photo: On left Shaun Ouillette, on right Rod Matthews. Image courtesy of WHDH, 7-News.