'This is unbelievable.' Framingham MA murderer is denied parole for fourth time
Damien Lockhart, 51, was denied parole after the state Parole Board deadlocked, 3-3, on his latest request. A majority vote is required for parole to be granted.
'It's just unreal, I can't believe it,' Bolton's aunt, Carol Young, said of the vote. 'Nothing surprises me anymore.'
The Parole Board normally has seven members. But due to a resignation in May, one seat is currently vacant.
Lockhart killed Kimberly Jane Bolton, 17, on Aug. 10, 1996. A year later, he was convicted of second-degree murder and attempted rape.
Lockhart testified during a previous parole hearing that he had wanted to cheat on his girlfriend after getting into an argument with her. He met Bolton in Framingham shortly afterward, and convinced her to go to an area near the Waverly Street train station called 'The Weeds.'
Earlier: Framingham man goes before Parole Board to ask for release
Once the two were there, Lockhart attempted to initiate sex. When Bolton refused, he tried to rape her. When she fought back, Lockhart bashed her in the head with a rock. He then dragged her to another area of the weeds and then slammed a rock on her head seven more times to make sure she was dead.
He's been denied parole four times — but is eligible again next year
Lockhart testified in 2018 that he killed Bolton because she said she was going to call the police. He said he had used crack cocaine just prior to the incident.
Lockhart has now been denied parole four times. Before his latest appeal, which was argued before the parole board on March 4, his last denial occurred in 2023.
In the board's decision, on July 29, it credited Lockhart for the work he has done to improve himself since his last hearing. During the hearing, two of Lockhart's family members testified on his behalf, while four of Bolton's family members and a Middlesex assistant district attorney testified against his release.
'Since his last hearing, he has engaged in rehabilitative programing and correspondence courses related to criminogenic factors,' according to the board ruling. 'The board notes programing related to victim empathy would be beneficial.'
Because the Parole Board's vote was 3-3, Lockhart is again eligible to request release next year, a fact that angers Bolton's family, Young said.
'We have to go back in March,' she said. 'This is unbelievable. It's not right.'
Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlcoal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Framingham man denied parole for 1996 murder of teen girl
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