The state’s parole board recently denied release to a man convicted of second-degree murder after a 2004 fatal shooting.
Roy Dancy, who pleaded guilty in 2006 to the killing of Gregory Holmes, appeared for his first hearing before the Massachusetts Parole Board on July 29 last year.
Parole board members noted that Dancy has been convicted of six crimes while incarcerated, five of them being convictions for assault and battery on correction officers, according to a decision dated Jan. 12.
“The Board concludes by unanimous decision that Roy Dancy has not demonstrated a level of rehabilitation that would make his release compatible with the welfare of society,” the decision states.
Dancy has spent more than 19 years incarcerated, with most of his time spent in maximum security with the exception of 11 months.
What led to his conviction?
On Nov. 24, 2004, then 21-year-old Dancy shot and killed 22-year-old Holmes in Springfield, the parole board said.
That evening, Springfield police responded to a 911 call for gunshots fired on Mill Street. When officers arrived, they found Holmes suffering from a gunshot wound to his leg.
The bullet had severed Holmes’ femoral artery and, despite attempts to treat him, he ultimately died, the parole board said.
A short time later, police responded to a second 911 call for what appeared to be a stabbing on Longhill Street.
When police arrived, they found Dancy suffering from a gunshot wound to his left foot. As police questioned him about his wound, Dancy made incriminating statements indicating he had been involved in the shooting of Holmes.
Police also recovered the gun used in the shooting at the Longhill Street scene, the parole board said. Witnesses of the Mill Street shooting also positively identified Dancy as the shooter.
On Feb. 28, 2006, in Hampden Superior Court, Dancy pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. He was also convicted of two counts of possession of ammunition, with two prior convictions, and received two 10- to 15-year sentences, to be served concurrently with his life sentences.
Since his imprisonment, Dancy has been convicted of six crimes, including five charges of assault and battery on a corrections officer, and one assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
What did the parole board say?
Dancy has made “minimal investment in self-development or rehabilitation,” according to the board’s decision.
“The Board does note, however, he has a fifth-grade education and appeared to present with significant cognitive issues,” the board wrote.
The parole board suggested that a “forensic evaluation” that includes cognitive testing would be beneficial to help Dancy and the board with understanding his needs and recommended treatment.
Dancy was represented by students from the Harvard Prison Legal Assistance Project under the supervision of attorney Joel Thompson. Hampden County Assistant District Attorney Lee Baker testified in opposition to his parole.
“Mr. Dancy stated he knows he has more work to do and states he hopes he gets the help he needs,” the board wrote.
