Jessica Gonzalez, Convicted of Murder at 15, to Be Paroled Despite Sex with Guard

Youngest Convicted Murderer in Rhode Island Catches Sympathetic Parole Board

Tom Mooney, staff writer for the Rhode Island News, is reporting on convicted killer Jessica Gonzalez. Gonzalez was, at age 15, the youngest person tried and convicted of murder in the state of Rhode Island.

As Mooney goes on to report, Gonzalez was just 13 when she shot a former roommate between the eyes because she claimed she was trying to steal her boyfriend.  

So why is Gonzalez in the news? She is being paroled. She has served 10 years of her initial "45 of a 60" year sentence. Some people might agree its time to let her out, some might not, however while the parole is the issue, it isn't due to the length.

Jessica Gonzalez was part of a work release program at East Providence elderly care center. While there she had sexual relations with a supervisor.

As the article goes on to report, while the actions are not particularly pleasing to authorities there are two extenuating circumstances. First, another inmate engaged in the same activity and received no punishment. Also, only supervisors can be held accountable, not workers.

Gonzalez's actions did reach the Parole Board. However, they decided to disregard them and parole Gonzalez anyway. Kenneth Walker, a member of the Parole Board, was quoted as saying, "We went back, talking about the crime of years ago. We looked at her as a child being sentenced to such a long time, so the board thought it was time for her to go."

The relationship between the Corrections Center and East Providence care facility ended as a result of the actions that involved Gonzalez.

This case reminds me of a case in the early 1990s that involved Amy Fisher. Fisher was also dubbed the Long Island Lolita. At age 17, Fisher shot Mary Jo Buttafuoco in the head causing severe injury and paralysis of the right side of the face. The reason that she did that was from the age of 16 she had been having an affair with Buttafuoco's husband, Joey.