Post by aleamon98 on Feb 26, 2008 14:31:00 GMT -5
LaFAYETTE, Ga. — Former LaFayette police Sgt. Sam Parker pleaded not guilty this morning to a charge of murdering his wife, Theresa Parker, and to three other felony charges.
Theresa Parker has been missing for almost a year, and, though no body has been found, Sam Parker was arrested Feb. 4 on a murder charge.
Walker County Superior Court Judge Jon Boling Wood heard more than two hours of testimony during the arraignment and bond hearing today.
Witnesses ranged form Chattooga County Probate and Magistrate Judge Jon Payne to Theresa Parker’s mother, Claire Caruthers.
Judge Payne said he has known Sam since the defendant was a child. Regarding whether Mr. Parker is flight risk or a danger to the public, Judge Payne said he feels that Mr. Parker would have already fled or harmed someone if he was going to do so.
All other witnesses told stories of a violent and moody Sam Parker.
Mrs. Caruthers said Sam talked to her after her boyfriend was arrested on a traffic violation. She lived next door to Sam.
She said he told her, “If me or Greg crossed the property line, he would kill us and bury us and they’d never find us.”
Rome Judicial Circuit District Attorney Leigh Patterson also called four more witnesses who described a variety of threats and boasts they said Sam Parker had made.
Public Defender David Dunn said his client is “ready to fight,” and that he was agitated by what he feels were untruths sworn to by the string of witnesses.
Mr. Dunn, who said he was surprised by the extent of prosecution testimony put up during the hearing, said he thought the proceeding was a show for the media.
On cross examination, he asked each witness whether they had reported the alleged incidents involving Sam to authorities, and for each one also asked why they had not.
Judge Wood said he will consider all testimony before making a decision regarding whether to set bond for Mr. Parker.
The defendant, shackled at the wrists and ankles during the hearing, was ordered to be held in an undisclosed neighboring county jail pending the judge’s decision.
Theresa Parker has been missing for almost a year, and, though no body has been found, Sam Parker was arrested Feb. 4 on a murder charge.
Walker County Superior Court Judge Jon Boling Wood heard more than two hours of testimony during the arraignment and bond hearing today.
Witnesses ranged form Chattooga County Probate and Magistrate Judge Jon Payne to Theresa Parker’s mother, Claire Caruthers.
Judge Payne said he has known Sam since the defendant was a child. Regarding whether Mr. Parker is flight risk or a danger to the public, Judge Payne said he feels that Mr. Parker would have already fled or harmed someone if he was going to do so.
All other witnesses told stories of a violent and moody Sam Parker.
Mrs. Caruthers said Sam talked to her after her boyfriend was arrested on a traffic violation. She lived next door to Sam.
She said he told her, “If me or Greg crossed the property line, he would kill us and bury us and they’d never find us.”
Rome Judicial Circuit District Attorney Leigh Patterson also called four more witnesses who described a variety of threats and boasts they said Sam Parker had made.
Public Defender David Dunn said his client is “ready to fight,” and that he was agitated by what he feels were untruths sworn to by the string of witnesses.
Mr. Dunn, who said he was surprised by the extent of prosecution testimony put up during the hearing, said he thought the proceeding was a show for the media.
On cross examination, he asked each witness whether they had reported the alleged incidents involving Sam to authorities, and for each one also asked why they had not.
Judge Wood said he will consider all testimony before making a decision regarding whether to set bond for Mr. Parker.
The defendant, shackled at the wrists and ankles during the hearing, was ordered to be held in an undisclosed neighboring county jail pending the judge’s decision.