Board to Meet Wednesday to Reconsider Parole of Police Killer.

The Board of Paroles will meet Wednesday at 9 a.m. to reconsider its decision to parole Gary Castonguay, who in 1977 executed Plainville police office Robert Holcomb as he fled the scene of a burglary. The board voted after a short meeting in January to release Castonguay, who delivered a 33 second statement that was heavy on self-pity to the three-member panel.

The Board of Paroles has made a hash out of this procedure by failing to notify Officer Holcomb’s family and issuing an accurate agenda for the January meeting. The panel’s decision, for example, includes this in its rationale the background information that Castonguay shot Officer Holcomb, “4 times, allegedly while he was on the ground and helpless.” (Emphasis added.) There was no “allegedly” in the manner of execution. The evidence was presented and the jury found Castonguay was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Holcomb family will be joined at the hearing by a crowd of police officers intent on offering support.