Massachusetts murderer who bludgeoned 71-year-old man while out on parole is being freed

Yet another convicted murderer is being freed.

The Massachusetts Parole Board has granted the release of Jody Oleson — who was 25 years old when he was out on parole and bludgeoned a 71-year-old man to death.

Oleson in 2000 was found guilty of the second-degree murder of Alfred Fisher, who was killed in his Southie apartment.

Oleson, now 52 years old, was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. He was denied parole after an initial hearing in 2013, and after review hearings in 2018 and 2023.

But now, the parole board is granting his release — despite opposition from the Suffolk DA’s office and from Fisher’s family.

When police officers arrived at Fisher’s apartment in the Mary Ellen McCormack Housing Development on July 27, 1998, the cops found Oleson with blood on his hands, while Fisher was found lying unconscious on the kitchen floor in a pool of blood.

Fisher, who was a fixture in the housing development and was described as a “sweet man,” knew Oleson through a mutual friend.

Fisher had been alone in his apartment and on the phone with a friend when Oleson came to his door. While still on the small cordless telephone, Fisher let him in. Oleson then began striking Fisher.

Fisher’s friend — who was still on the line — heard the attack as well as Fisher’s calls for help, and called police immediately. Oleson continued his attack, drawing blood from Fisher’s head.

Oleson then strangled Fisher to death. Fisher also received cuts or bruises to his nose, cheeks, chin, lip, neck, arms, and legs.

When police arrived, Oleson told the cops that he had come to confront Fisher for stalking his pregnant girlfriend.

“He told police that he gave the man a beating,” the Suffolk County prosecutor said during his arraignment.

Oleson added that Fisher had been “messing with my girlfriend.”

He claimed that Fisher struck him first, and that he struck Fisher in self-defense. In a taped statement, Oleson admitted to punching Fisher once, as well as holding him in a chokehold around the midsection.

Oleson appealed his conviction numerous times, but his convictions were affirmed.

Years before the slaying, Oleson had been convicted of armed robbery and assault and battery with a deadly weapon. He served four years in prison, and he was out on parole at the time of the murder.

This was Oleson’s fourth appearance before the parole board. Since the last hearing, Oleson accepted the parole board’s recommendations and appeared to benefit from continued program involvement, according to the board.

Oleson has maintained sobriety and is no longer on medically assisted treatment. Oleson has a history of employment and has acquired skills that will help him with employment in the community, the board said.

“Mr. Oleson has invested in addressing need areas that were directly related to the offense,” the parole board wrote. “He also appears to have benefitted from his investment in Restorative Justice. Mr. Oleson has a well thought-out release plan and support system to assist him with adjustment… The Board concludes that Jody Oleson has demonstrated a level of rehabilitation that would make his release compatible with the welfare of society.”