CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) — The state parole board is once again taking up the case of convicted murderer James Hughes III, less than two years after his last appeal was denied.
Hughes, 72, is serving a life sentence for the 1982 murder of Howard "Zeke" Harris at his furniture store in North Kingstown. Police said Hughes beat Harris to death with a hammer after he was caught rifling through Harris' desk for money.
Hughes was denied parole for the eighth time in March 2023. He wasn't supposed to have another hearing until 2028, but since he applied for "geriatric parole" last December, the board was required by law to schedule Monday's hearing.
The law applies to inmates who are terminally ill, permanently incapacitated or over the age of 65.
No decision was made on Monday, since Hughes was unable to attend the hearing. The matter was continued to March 10.
Members of Harris' family have been pushing to keep Hughes behind bars, saying he has never shown remorse for his actions. They addressed the board Monday morning, saying they were shocked this next hearing came up so quickly and that it's difficult for them to keep reliving these painful memories.
"I can't possibly explain what a toll it takes on my family and on myself to speak to these horrific memories of the brutal murder of my grandfather — an elderly, and by all accounts, a gentle, giving, loving man," his granddaughter, Krista Rousseau, said.
"The only thing worse than having to come before you to rip the Band-Aid off and tell our story over and over again would be to have him out," she added. "It would cause us terrible anxiety and fear."
"My family and the community feel safer with James Hughes behind bars," Harris' granddaughter, Bethanie Sherman, said. "Please, I beg you to keep him where he is. James is a menace to society."
According to Rousseau, the family can either attend the next hearing or stand by their statements made on Monday, but she said she plans to be there on March 10.
Since Hughes is serving a life sentence, the parole board's decision must be unanimous.
Hear more from Harris' family tonight on 12 News starting at 4.