Massachusetts Parole Board Denies Release to Murderer
The parole board cited an extensive disciplinary record in its decision to keep inmate Michael Fountain incarcerated.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Violence
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The Massachusetts parole board has denied the release of 72-year-old Michael Fountain, who is serving a life sentence for a 1975 murder. Fountain, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 1977, was rejected following a March 2026 hearing.
Why it matters
The board reached its decision to deny release based on Fountain's history of more than 100 disciplinary reports accumulated during his time in prison. This hearing marked his first request for parole after waiving his right to hearings for over a decade.
Michael Fountain is currently serving a life sentence for the 1975 murder of Peter DiNatale in Somerville. The board's recent decision means he will not be eligible for his next parole hearing until 2028.
The players
Michael Fountain
The 72-year-old inmate is serving a life sentence after pleading guilty to the second-degree murder of Peter DiNatale.
Peter DiNatale
The victim was killed in Somerville in 1975 after being targeted by Fountain and his associates.
The details
Fountain killed Peter DiNatale in 1975 at the request of two individuals who owed the victim money. During the crime, Fountain shot the victim five times, while an accomplice contributed two additional shots before the group traveled to Quincy.
Timeline
The murder of Peter DiNatale occurred in October 1975.
Fountain pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in January 1977.
An initial parole hearing for Fountain took place on March 21, 2026.
The parole board issued the formal decision to deny release on October 19, 2026.
Fountain will be eligible for his next parole hearing in 2028.
Legal Context
This parole denial follows the rigorous standards established by Massachusetts life sentence parole eligibility statutes. The ruling reflects a broader trend of prioritizing an inmate's documented disciplinary history when assessing the risk to public safety during release considerations.
The denial ensures that an individual with a significant history of disciplinary violations remains in state custody. This outcome reinforces the state's current approach to evaluating parole eligibility for individuals convicted of violent crimes.
The takeaway
Parole boards often place significant weight on an inmate's long-term disciplinary record when determining the likelihood of successful reintegration. Maintaining a clean record is frequently cited as a critical factor for those seeking parole after decades of incarceration.
Further reading
For more information on state safety and public records, visit the Massachusetts Violence section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Masslive.
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