What to know about the rejection of Healey's Parole Board nominee as backlash builds

Gov. Maura Healey nominated Vincent DeMore to the Parole Board, but the Governor’s Council narrowly voted against confirming him. Parole Board rejections are rare, and the rejection followed Healey’s direct appeal to the council for confirmation. District attorneys across the state supported DeMore’s nomination and some have spoken out after the decision. The board is under heightened scrutiny after a Memorial Drive shooting in Cambridge earlier in the month that was allegedly carried out by a parolee. DeMore previously worked as a prosecutor in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, later founded a Boston law firm, and now works as a defense attorney. He also serves as a U.S. Army Reserve captain in the Judge Advocate General Corps, representing victims of crimes.

"In April, Healey nominated Vincent DeMore to serve on the board after former member Tonomey Coleman was confirmed as a district court judge. The governor praised DeMore's "deep understanding of the justice system from multiple perspectives" in announcing his nomination. DeMore served as a prosecutor in the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office from 2007 to 2019, including a one-year stint overseeing a team of 70 attorneys as the office's Chief of District Courts and Community Prosecutions. DeMore went on to found Henning Strategies, a Boston law firm, where he now works as a defense attorney."

"Rejections of Parole Board nominees are rare, and this one came after Gov. Maura Healey directly appealed to the council in the hope that they would confirm her nominee. District attorneys across the state also pushed for Healey's nominee to be confirmed, and some are now speaking out in the wake of the rejection. These developments come as the board faces heightened scrutiny in the wake of the shooting on Memorial Drive in Cambridge earlier this month, which was allegedly carried out by a parolee."

"DeMore appeared before the Governor's Council at a hearing in April, where he spoke about his work history and advocated for himself as someone ready to positively impact his community in a new position. He said he wanted to improve public safety through a "compassionate and principled approach to recovery, rehabilitation, and reentry." He vowed to "respect the voices of victims and survivors, while never"

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