LaFAYETTE, Ga. — District Attorney Leigh Patterson rested the state’s case against former police officer Sam Parker this afternoon, after a morning of tearful testimony from Theresa Parker’s family.
Mr. Parker is charged will killing his wife, Theresa Parker, who was last heard from on March 21, 2007.
The state rested its case earlier than expected because Walker County Superior Court Judge Jon “Bo” Wood ruled that Ms. Patterson could not bring in her final two witnesses.
She had planned to question Mrs. Parker’s psychologist, Dr. Laura Hayes, and her attorney, Mary Jane Melton.
Mr. Parker’s public defender, David Dunn objected to both, saying their testimony would violate the privilege a client has with a doctor or lawyer. The prosecution argued that that privilege dies with the client.
Judge Wood said that, though Ms. Patterson’s argument made logical sense, it’s not Georgia law.
When Ms. Patterson said the state’s case was finished, Mr. Dunn asked Judge Wood immediately to acquit Mr. Parker on all four felony charges because, he said, the prosecution failed to prove its case.
“The only direct evidence is an alleged confession that is the testimony of Harbin Chaffin,” Mr. Dunn said, adding that Mr. Chaffin was unreliable because he told different versions of his story. “Direct evidence should be required. The only thing the state has produced is circumstantial evidence.”
Mr. Chaffin last week testified that Mr. Parker told confessed to shooting his wife in the head. Mr. Chaffin said he didn’t tell anyone about the confession because he didn’t remember for a while hearing Mr. Parker make the statement.
Judge Wood denied that request and Mr. Dunn began calling witnesses late in the afternoon.
See Friday’s Times Free Press for complete coverage.
Or login with:
New Account