A Massachusetts man who has spent more than half his life in prison was granted parole on Tuesday.

On Dec. 31, 2007, 15-year-old Emmanuel Okoro had been drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana with friends and family when he decided to go to a nearby New Year’s Eve party. However, they were turned away at the door by Markeen Starks, 19.

Starks knew Okoro and his sister. They had attempted to retaliate against the Starks’ sister after she had spoken to the police regarding an earlier killing, the parole board wrote.

After the party ended, a crowd gathered outside the party and a fight broke out, including between Okoro and Starks. During the fight, Okoro was carrying a knife and stabbed Starks multiple times. Starks died from the knife wounds.

On Dec. 28, 2010, following a jury trial i

See Full Page