Contact: Beth Stone- (508) 584-8120
BROCKTON – The state Parole Board has issued their unanimous opinion to deny parole to Todd Fournier for a 1975 murder in Middleboro, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz has announced.
On October 24, 1975, Fournier entered a wooded area in Middleboro with the victim, David Courtney. They were both 18-years-old at the time. Courtney brought his rifle with him because he wanted to shoot at squirrels. Once in the woods, Fournier shot Courtney with the .22 caliber rifle, striking him in the head. Fournier then stole $6 from Courtney’s pocket and left him to die in the woods. Fournier fled the scene with the gun, smashed it against trees and hid the pieces. Police arrested him later that day.
On March 25, 1976, a jury found Fournier guilty of second degree murder and he was sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole.
On December 6, 2016, Fournier, now 59-years-old, appeared before the state Parole Board for a review hearing. He appeared before the Board for his initial parole hearing in 1991 and was denied parole. Fournier was again denied parole at his review hearings in 1993, 1994, and 1996.
Fournier was granted parole in 2002, but in March 2004, his parole was revoked as a result of an arrest for Operating Under the Influence of Liquor. After a review in 2004, Fournier was re-paroled, but in 2006, Fournier tested positive for cocaine and his parole was revoked and he was returned to custody. Fournier was denied parole after his review hearings in 2007, 2009 and 2012.
“While out on parole, Mr. Fournier continued to make bad decisions that endangered the community and he tested positive for cocaine and marijuana,” DA Cruz said. “In light of the brutal and senseless nature of the murder committed by Fournier and his poor parole history, I commend the Parole Board on their thoughtful decision to keep him in prison.”
In their decision, the Parole Board stated, “The Board is of the opinion that Mr. Fournier has not demonstrated a level of rehabilitative progress that would make his re-release compatible with the welfare of society. Mr. Fournier minimizes his criminal conduct. He was paroled twice and committed new crimes both times. Mr. Fournier must continue to examine and address issues related to his substance and criminal thinking.”
Fournier will be eligible to come before the Parole Board again in three years.
Assistant District Attorney Stacey Gauthier handled the case for the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.
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