A man convicted of two murders is seeking parole, citing Rhode Island's Youthful Offender Act.
Forty-five-year-old Charles Pona was 18 when he killed Hector Feliciano in 1999 and the following year, he ordered the murder of a 15-year-old witness.
Pona was found guilty in both cases and sentenced to serve two consecutive life sentences.
He has since been denied parole, but argues that under the law passed in 2021, he should be eligible for early release.
Under the law, inmates sentenced before their 22nd birthday may qualify for early release after serving at least 20-years of their sentence.
(Photo by PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo: PHILIPPE LOPEZ / AFP / Getty Images