LaFAYETTE, Ga. — Testimony ended this morning in Sam Parker’s murder trial after Mr. Parker declined to testify in his own defense.
Mr. Parker, a former LaFayette police officer, is charged with killing his wife, Theresa Parker, who was last seen on March 21, 2007. Mr. Parker has pleaded not guilty and Mrs. Parker’s body has never been found.
The defense began Thursday afternoon after the state rested its case. Public Defender David Dunn questioned Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson, Chattooga County Judge Jon Payne and Walker County District Attorney investigator Johnny Bass.
This morning, Mr. Dunn called Mr. Parker's first wife, Denise Parker, who said that Mr. Parker had never been abusive toward her.
He called Martha Lewis, a neighbor of the Parkers on Cordell Road. She told the jury that on March 22, 2007, she saw two men inside the Parkers’ garage.
District Attorney Leigh Patterson questioned Mrs. Lewis’ statements on the stand, saying they were inconsistent with her previous statements to investigators.
When those witnesses were finished, , Judge Jon “Bo” Wood paused the trial and sent the jury out. Mr. Dunn said that Mr. Parker would not take the stand and speak for himself.
Judge Wood told Mr. Parker that, while he should listen to his attorneys, it was his decision whether to testify in his own defense.
“My decision is not to testify,” Mr. Parker told Judge Wood. “Yes, Your Honor, it is my decision.”
With that, Judge Wood called the jury back and Mr. Dunn rested the defense case.
The attorneys and the judge will confer this afternoon on jury instructions, and the trial will resume Monday morning with closing arguments.
See Saturday’s Times Free Press for complete coverage.
This is the best circumstantial evidence case I've seen in many years. Outstanding work from Georgia investigators.
It's also a complete condemnation of Lafayette City officials who allowed a monster like Parker to continue to wear a badge and gun after they had knowledge of Parker's demented mental state and criminal conduct. Those officials are guilty of criminal actions and certainly were culpable.
While I doubt that criminal charges will be brought against them, I hope they are sued personally and that they and the City of Lafayette pay millions in damages.
When he's found "Not Guilty", maybe Mr. Parker will tell where he buried Mrs. Parker.
This trial was a farce of rehersed lies, lying cops and former cops, stupid lawers and an arrogant jerk about to get away with murder. This is the only time I saw Steve Wilson speak more than two sentences without lying. I do agree that the parker family should sue the daylights out of Lafayette city for letting Sam get away with murder.
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