Killer given life without parole

Kim Smith

Thursday, Sept. 14, 2000 | 11:48 a.m.

The Hanlon family didn't get what they wanted Wednesday -- their beloved son and husband back -- but they did get some measure of relief.

After three years of legal wrangling, a jury sentenced the murderer of Billy Hanlon Jr. to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Scott Bedard, 34, was found guilty of first-degree murder last week in the Aug. 6, 1997, death of Hanlon, 33. The jurors spent the better part of two days this week deliberating Bedard's fate. They could have given him the death penalty.

"We didn't particularly want the death penalty. We were hoping for life without," Bill Hanlon Sr. said. "It's nice to bring closure to this."

Had Bedard been given death, Hanlon Sr. said it just would have guaranteed years more of agony for both the Hanlon family and Bedard's family during the appeals process.

"Nothing brings back my son, and there is another family involved," Hanlon Sr. said. "They've been going through anguish, too. It's a different kind of anguish, but it's still anguish."

Prosecutors alleged Bedard killed Hanlon when Hanlon stumbled onto him during a burglary of the Templeton Plaza building on Rainbow Boulevard. Hanlon was the owner of a janitorial service.

Bedard had a lengthy criminal record going back to at least the age of 15, when he participated in an armed robbery. He was wanted for a parole violation in Massachusetts when he killed Hanlon.

His parole officer, Paula Vizard, began sobbing on the stand Monday after explaining Bedard continued to have problems with alcohol, heroin and cocaine despite the programs she placed him in.

She obtained a warrant for his arrest in November 1996.

"I wish he had stayed in the program," Vizard said. "I just feel so badly for what's happened. I feel badly for the family."

Ruthie Aresco, Bedard's girlfriend at the time of the murder, was near tears after the verdict was read.

"I just thank God he didn't get the death sentence," Aresco said. "I don't agree with what he did -- it was wrong and he deserves to be punished -- but I'm glad it's not death."

Aresco, who was beaten by Bedard just before the murder, said Bedard is a caring, funny and hard-working man when not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

She expressed her condolences to the Hanlon family after Wednesday's proceedings.

"I told them I was sorry for their loss," Aresco said. "I lost my son, too. Mine was in an accident and their's was taken, but I can relate. I just wanted them to know I understand their pain."

Aresco said her son, who was fathered by Bedard, drowned when he was 14 months old, about one year after the murder.

Hanlon's father, who served seven years on the state Board of Education, said Bedard was the product of a troubled childhood, but that doesn't excuse what he did.

People need to take responsibility for their own actions at some point, Hanlon Sr. said. They need to stop blaming their parents, their teachers or other factors in their lives.

"I feel zero sympathy for him, but I do feel for his family," Hanlon said.

Stacey Whitmore Hanlon, the victim's wife, said she felt awful for Bedard's 13-year-old daughter, Lisa, who pleaded from the stand for his life to be spared.

"I understand why the defense chose to do that, but I feel terrible for her having to be up there," she said.

She, too, said Bedard's childhood was no excuse.

"I understand people grow up in less than good circumstances, but I don't think that makes you incapable of understanding the difference between right and wrong," she said.

Bedard's formal sentencing on the murder charge and a variety of other charges will be Oct. 26.