Decades after a house fire killed a man, the person convicted in the case went in front of the parole board for the first time — but the Massachusetts Parole Board fears his ongoing battle with addiction shows he’s not ready.
On May 7, 2005, in Kingston, 40-year-old Rick Amado spent the day drinking with friends, including at George Frazier III’s house. At one point, Frazier, 49, fell asleep.
Someone tried punching Frazier “but he was too intoxicated to get up from the couch,” the parole board wrote.
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Multiple men then began stealing from Frazier. And Amado lit a blanket on Frazier’s bed on fire.
“The men left the house, but no one attempted to rescue Mr. Frazier, who was unco