A Massachusetts man is getting another chance outside prison walls after getting his parole revoked in 2009.
Wilson Morales was granted parole on May 14 after he pleaded guilty to murder in the second degree for the 1992 death of Pablo Sanchez. He was charged and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 1994.
On Aug. 31, 1992, Morales, then 23 years old, shot and killed 18-year-old Pablo Sanchez in Holyoke during an argument over drugs.
Morales and his brother, Angel Morales, were both involved in the fight, the parole board stated. Wilson Morales, officials said, was armed with a gun. Wilson Morales fired several shots at Sanchez and another man, killing Sanchez and seriously wounding the other.
After the shooting, the Morales brothers fled first to New Jersey, and then to Puerto Rico. They eventually surrendering to authorities.
In 2008, Morales was given parole. But it was revoked in January 2009 due to a mental health crisis, the parole board stated.
Since then, he has had multiple psychiatric hospitalizations, “in part due to his noncompliance with medication,” the parole board stated. However, in May 2023, he received a medication adjustment. He began attending mental health appointments and has had no further problems.
Feb. 4 was Morales’ fifth appearance before the parole board.
Morales has a supportive family who are aware of his mental health needs, the board wrote. Four of Morales’ family members testified in support of him getting parole. However, Hampden County Assistant District Attorney Michael Julian said he was still against parole.
In a unanimous decision on May 14, Morales was granted parole to a long-term residential treatment facility. He is required as part of his parole to continue taking his medication.
