Sam Parker, who is charged with murdering his estranged wife, Theresa Parker, pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Walker County Superior Court. Meanwhile bond was delayed pending another hearing.
A bond hearing and arraignment were held before Judge Jon Bolling “Bo” Wood.
Tuesday morning several witnesses testified, both for and against Sam Parker, in hopes of having his bond approved or denied.
Walker County Public Defender David Dunn, who is serving as Sam Parker’s attorney, and Floyd County District Attorney Leigh Patterson questioned the witnesses, including Theresa Parker’s mother, a former wife of Sam Parker, a personal family friend, Chattooga County’s probate judge, a police officer from Panama City Police Department, and others who have had contact with Sam Parker.
Judge Wo
Theresa Parker, missing since March 21, 2007
od decided to hold another bond hearing soon and discuss the matter and testimonies further before deciding on a possible bond.
The first person to testify Tuesday was Jon Payne, Chattooga County probate judge.
Payne said he has known Sam Parker and his family for 40 years. Payne and Parker were childhood friends, police officers and former Marines.
Payne said, “Sam is well-known in Walker County. Sam is well-known in Chattooga County.
Payne said that Parker’s nickname is “Buddy.”
According to Payne, he had discussed with Parker of possibly applying to Wal-Mart, since he was unemployed and suspended from law enforcement shortly after the investigation into Theresa Parker’s disappearance began. She disappeared on March 21, 2007.
“He has nowhere to go,” Payne said of the possibility of Sam Parker fleeing the area, if a bond was set.
Claire Careathers, Theresa’s mother, also testified. She said she has known Sam Parker for 15 years and used to live next-door to the couple on Cordell Road in Walker County.
Careathers said that 13-14 years ago her husband, Gregory, was arrested for driving on a suspended license.
According to Careathers, she received a phone call from Sam Parker, asking why she had threatened him the night before in the parking lot of where Gregory (a boyfriend at the time) was handcuffed and arrested.
“I told him, ‘Sam I did not threaten you. I’m telling you, I did not.’ He told me, if me or Greg, crossed the line, he would kill both of us and bury us and that they would never find us.”
Public defender David Dunn asked Careathers, “You were upset when the LaFayette police officers arrested him (Gregory), weren’t you?”
“In a way,” Careather replied.
“Did you confront the officers?” Dunn asked.
“I did,” she replied.
According to Careathers, she did not confront Sam Parker with matter.
More details coming
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