Dozens of police chiefs from across Massachusetts and several state senators increased the pressure on the state Parole Board yesterday, as anger mounted over a freed criminal who shot and killed a Woburn police officer the day after Christmas, the Boston Globe reports. Several state senators from both parties called on the board to suspend parole release hearings until a review of the case ordered by the governor is finished.
New details emerged on Domenic Cinelli's suspected criminal activity in the weeks before the shootout. Woburn police Chief Philip Mahoney said authorities believe Cinelli was involved in a “pretty serious'' store robbery in a neighboring community three weeks prior to the fatal encounter. The administration of Gov. Deval Patrick has suspended making decisions on inmates with life sentences while the review is ongoing.