A convicted murderer who beat his pregnant wife to death in front of her 5-year-old boy was one of the illegal immigrants grabbed by ICE in the Boston area sweep last week.

The Dominican national was paroled in December while serving just 17 years of a life sentence, according to the Massachusetts Parole Board.

The Parole Board ruled that Cesar Polanco, 59, of Lawrence, should be set free because, they wrote, “Mr. Polanco’s adjustment has been positive” and he “expressed remorse for his actions and reminded the Board that he called the police himself” after beating his wife to death.

The “facts of the case” state Polanco hit his wife so violently in front of the young child that she “sustained massive facial injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital.” She was one month pregnant, the board added.

Still, he was paroled Dec. 4 on a “home plan.”

That plan states, in part, that “Mr. Polanco has a significant support system in the United States and Dominican Republic. The Board considered the support of Mr. Polanco’s sister, daughter, and friend,” the Parole Board added before they “approved” his release where he had to abstain from drugs and alcohol.

The Herald has not received a response from the Parole Board yet. His two-page parole report states in brief “ICE detainer.” It is not clear if ICE was or was not contacted. The Herald has also put out a call to ICE.

Media reports state Polanco was living in Boston when immigration agents tracked him down last week.

He had pleaded guilty to second-degree murder of his 25-year-old wife in 2007 and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. His first attempt at parole was denied in 2021, but in the second attempt he was represented by a Harvard PLAP student attorney “under the supervision” of another attorney, the board wrote.

The Harvard PLAP program is a Prison Legal Assistance Project that helps second-degree murder convicts seek their freedom.

The PLAP mission statement includes: “At PLAP, our mission is to empower people incarcerated in Massachusetts; to train law students in client-based advocacy and instill in them a commitment to public interest and social justice; and to participate in conversations about incarceration and engage in efforts to promote the rights of incarcerated people.”

The Herald was told to “call back tomorrow” to contact the Harvard PLAP supervising attorneys. An email was also sent to them asking how they deal with ICE, or don’t deal with immigration officers.

The Parole Board summary of the slaying added that Polanco, 41 at the time, argued with his wife over “going out to drink” on the night of Oct. 26, 2006. They lived in an apartment in Lawrence with their 16-month-old daughter and a 5-year-old boy from her “previous relationship” when the “argument turned physical.”

That’s when he admitted he “beat (redacted) to death.” The board added, “the son witnessed Mr. Polance beating his mother.”

The Essex DA’s office was at the parole hearing “in opposition.” The Herald has put in a call to that office.

The Herald has also reached out to Gov. Maura Healey’s press contact for comment.

Developing … 

Originally Published: January 27, 2025 at 12:18 PM EST

PRINCETON – After a week of biting cold temperatures across Massachusetts, skiers and snowboarders hit the slopes of Wachusett Mountain Sunday evening, celebrating what some said feels like old times.

Coldest week in years

“It’s a blast! You’ve got to dress right, but it’s pretty good,” said Brett, a snowboarder at the ski resort. 

This past week was one of the coldest weeks New England has seen in years and the harshest week of winter thus far, kicking off with several inches of snow in much of Massachusetts.

“Compared to what we saw last year, with the freeze-thaw cycle, hot cold and all the rain and what not, it’s definitely starting to feel like a true New England winter now,” said Alex Arcangeli, Wachusett Mountain’s lift manager. “So, we’re seeing a lot of guests come out. They’re excited to ski, excited to get some fresh snow.”

Prefer skiing in colder weather

Some people told WBZ-TV, they actually prefer skiing in colder temperatures.

“Honestly yeah. Because you get really hot,” said Bre, a guest at the resort.

“Once you get on the slopes, on the hills, you start to warm up for sure and it becomes more comfortable,” said another guest.

Instead of traveling to a beach far away from New England to celebrate his birthday, Vinnie Timauro told WBZ-TV he opted to hit the slopes instead. “I think that this is the most fun way to do it. It’s better than being locked up inside.”

According to these guests, finding ways to stay warm is just part of the fun experience on the mountain. 

“You do a couple runs, then come down, hang out with some friends by the fire.” said Brett, a snowboarder on the hill.

A crash on Interstate 495 in Lawrence, Massachusetts, Sunday seriously injured two people, one of whom has life-threatening injuries, state police said.

The highway was temporarily shut as a medical helicopter was flown to the scene, at mile marker 100, after the crash was reported about 9:30 a.m., police said.

One person, identified only as female, was taken in that helicopter to a hospital in Boston with life-threatening injuries, while a woman was rushed to local hospital with serious injuries, according to police.

They were investigating what led to the crash.