Man Convicted of 1971 West Medford Murder Granted Parole

A man convicted of a 1971 murder at a West Medford convenience was paroled this week.

Vernon Miller, 73, was granted parole by the state's parole board by a 6-1 vote Monday, according to the board's written decision. He is one of three people previously given life sentences to be granted parole this week.

On April 12, 1971, Miller and Arthur Morris entered the Sunnyhurst Convenience Store in West Medford and demanded money from 53-year-old store clerk Armand Clivio, according to parole board documents. Clivio was shot in the head, and the two men escaped with $140.

Prosecutors alleged that Morris shot Clivio, but Miller was convicted of first degree murder because he was present and intended to rob the store, the parole board records said. Miller was given a life sentence in 1972.

Miller later testified against Morris, who was found not guilty, according to the parole board decision.

Miller has previously been granted parole on three occasions since 1986, but had it revoked each time due to alcohol use or positive drug tests, according to parole board records.

The parole board's written decision describes Miller as an elderly man who has suffered from substance abuse, but does not have any parole violations related to violent acts.

Miller was most recently paroled from 2008 until a violation in 2011, said the decision, written by Parole Board Chief of Staff Caitlin Casey.

"By all accounts, during the last two years, Mr. Miller had been adjusting very well in his condominium complex and in his community," the decision said. "...The number of people involved in his life who testified favorably at his hearing evidenced a very strong support network that would enhance his rehabilitation."

Miller was first granted parole in 1986, when Gov. Michael Dukakis commuted his sentence from life without parole to 22 1/2 years to life. His parole was revoked in 1994 due to alcohol use and failure to maintain a job, the parole decision said. He was later paroled in 2002 and 2008.

Seila Dupre, the only board member who voted against paroling Miller, said Miller's substance abuse history showed his rehabilitation was inadequate, the decision said.

Miller, Allah Raborn and Benley Thompson are the first three people serving life sentences to be paroled in Massachusetts since Woburn Police Officer Jack McGuire was fatally shot by a parolee in 2010.