By Brittany Cofer
bcofer@timesfreepress.com
The television show “48 Hours Mystery” featured the local murder investigation and trial of Sam Parker tonight.
CBS reporter Tracy Smith interviewed officials, family members, jury members and Sam Parker himself for the hourlong show chronicling the Parkers’ relationship and the disappearance of Theresa Parker.
Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson, who was interviewed for the piece, said afterward that he thought the show did “a good job of accurately portraying what was brought out at the trial,” but he did not see much new information in the broadcast.
“The only thing that I did not really know was the poll of the jury,” Sheriff Wilson said. “I understand they said that they were two to convict and 10 undecided when they first started deliberating. That was the first time I had actually heard that.”
During Mrs. Smith’s interview with eight members of the jury, several said they did not believe testimony from one of the prosecution’s witnesses, former LaFayette, Ga., police officer Ben Chaffin. Jury members also said they considered much of the evidence circumstantial.
The show highlighted that after three days of deliberation, the jury eventually came to a unanimous decision to convict Mr. Parker on Sept. 3, 2009 after reviewing his cell phone records.
Lifelong LaFayette resident Monty Morrison, who knew both of the Parkers, also said he did not learn anything new on the program.
“After knowing both Theresa and Sam personally, I just say that it’s sad,” Mr. Morrison said. “The show was just a reminder of what a sad situation it really is for everybody involved.”