Nov 10, 2009 5:22 pm US/Eastern
Robbery Suspect A Convicted Killer On Parole
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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Gerald Hill is captured being put in the back of a police cruiser on Monday.
WBZ
One of the men charged with robbing a Boston cab dispatch center this week was just released from jail after spending most of his adult life in prison.
HILL HAS A VIOLENT PAST
Gerald Hill, 47, of Dorchester, has two previous murder convictions on his record dating back to when he was 14-years old.
He was convicted of manslaughter in connection with the stabbing death of 53-year-old Leo Murphy in 1977. And According to prosecutors, while Hill was on bail for that murder, he was involved in the murder of an oil delivery man during the Blizzard of 1978.
He was just 15.
Hill served 31 years of a life sentence and was granted parole. He was released just 60 days ago. "It is important to note Mr. Hill's age at the time of the convictions," the parole board wrote. "And it is also relevant to consider that he was the non-assailant."
"Our position on this defendant has consistently been that he is not worthy of parole," said District Attorney Dan Conley.
Conley's office argued against Hill's release because of his history both inside and outside of prison. "People can argue that 'OK, 31 years is a long time. He was 15 when he committed this crime.' But we look at the big picture and we also worry about the unknown, unnamed potential victim."
MONDAY'S ROBBERY
Hill and another man, who remains at large, are accused of pistol-whipping a cab dispatcher at the Boston Cab Association on Kilmarnock Street in Fenway just before 10 a.m. Monday morning. Police say they took "a substantial amount of money."
According to police, Hill and the other suspect stole a car, abandoned it on Ipswich Street and then pulled over a taxi, pointed a gun at the cabbie's head and ordered him to drive. Officers quickly caught up with the cab and arrested Hill. The second suspect managed to escape.
Police say the men knew when to target the dispatch office, because it was the time of week when drivers turned in their cash from the weekend.
On Tuesday, Assistant District Attorney Mark Hallal requested Hall be held on $1 million bail based on his history. The court granted that request. A parole detainer has also been filed, which means Hill would still be held if he is able to post bail.
Hill's attorney would not comment on his client's previous convictions. He said he's innocent, in this case, until proven guilty.
WBZ's Dawn Hasbrouck contributed to this report.
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