The state parole board is releasing a convicted first-degree murderer who was found guilty in connection with slaying a 79-year-old man.

Plymouth DA Timothy Cruz is slamming the parole board’s decision to spring 59-year-old Michael Eagles, who was convicted of first-degree murder and armed robbery in 1987 for the death of Lewis Jennings.

Eagles is set to be released to Rhode Island and placed with his family under a home plan approved by the Massachusetts Parole Board.

The Plymouth DA testified against Eagles’ parole, and urged the parole board to consider the effects of releasing Eagles on his victim’s surviving family members.

“The Jennings and Villaire families have endured decades of pain due to the callous actions of Michael Eagles and his co-conspirator,” Cruz said after the parole board’s decision. “While the parole board says it considered their opposition to Eagles’ release when making its decision, they clearly did not give it the full consideration merited under the circumstances.

“Michael Eagles is now set to be released and given the chance to live close to his loved ones,” the DA added. “It is a fate undeserving for a man who ensured Lewis Jennings’ family would never be whole again.”

On July 29, 1986, Eagles and co-conspirator Jeffrey Roberio concocted a plan to break into Jennings’ Middleboro home and steal a large amount cash. Eagles was 20 years old at the time.

During his hearing before the state parole board, Eagles said his motive for the robbery was to fuel his drug addiction.

The pair broke into the Middleboro home and beat Jennings while demanding to know where he stored his money. Roberio and Eagles then left a badly injured Jennings to succumb to his injuries while they made off with his money.

An autopsy found that Jennings’ spine had been fractured, an elbow had been dislocated, several ribs and neck bones had been fractured, and he suffered extensive injuries to his entire face.

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Eagles was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without possibility of parole. Then last year, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s ruling in Commonwealth v. Mattis determined that life without parole sentences are unconstitutional as applied to “emerging adults” between the ages of 18 to 20.

As a result of this SJC decision, Eagles became eligible for parole.

“He has maintained sobriety for over three decades, has completed numerous rehabilitative programs, and presented with insight and as having matured and changed,” the parole board wrote in its decision. “The Board considered his age at the time of the offense and the expert opinion of Dr. Robert Kinscherff, who found him to be at low risk of recidivism violence.

“Mr. Eagles has worked consistently throughout his commitment,” the board added. “He is married and has the support of his wife and community. Mr. Eagles would likely benefit from parole supervision after a transitional period in lower security to maximize his potential for success on parole. The Board considered opposition testimony provided by Mr. Jennings’ family. The Board also considered opposition testimony from Plymouth County Assistant District Attorney Karen Palumbo.”