A Massachusetts man serving a life sentence for raping and kidnapping a nurse at work in 1977 was denied parole.
On Oct. 7, the Massachusetts Parole Board cited Robert Cantell’s lack of rehabilitation and recent disciplinary issues as reasons for its decision.
The board concluded that Cantell “has not demonstrated a level of rehabilitation that would make his release compatible with the welfare of society.” It noted that since his last review, Cantell has incurred nine disciplinary reports, including three for possession of pornographic materials. The board also found that he has completed “minimal programming” and lacks insight into his sexually motivated behaviors.
This marks the ninth time Cantell has been denied parole since 1992. He was previously granted parole after a hearing in 2010 but was sent back to prison approximately five months later after his parole was revoked. He had violated his parole for possessing a four-inch knife and owning magazines containing provocative and revealing pictures of women.
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Cantell was 20 years old on April 2, 1977, when he broke into a New Bedford nursing home around 3 a.m., abducted a female nurse at knifepoint, and drove her to an isolated area. He then raped and sodomized the woman before abandoning her.
Later that year, a Bristol Superior Court jury found Cantell guilty of rape, kidnapping, armed burglary, assault by means of a dangerous weapon, and engaging in unnatural acts. Bristol County Assistant District Attorney Jose Vasquez testified in opposition to parole at Cantell’s May 7 hearing. A friend of Cantell’s testified in his support.
His next parole review is scheduled in three years.
Generative AI was used to draft this story, based on data provided by the Massachusetts Parole Board. It was reviewed and edited by an editor.
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