Theresa Parker, msg 3/21/07, LaFayette, Georgia

[KittyMom]

http://www.findtheresaparker.com/

Age: 41
Race: White
Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown
Height: 5’ 07”
Weight: 125


Missing From: Cordell Ave, LaFayette, Georgia
Details: Theresa has been missing since the evening of March 21, 2007 when she left her sister's residence. Parkers SUV was found at her home the morning of March 22. She is an employee with Walker County Emergency Dispatch and has normal contact with family daily.


Any information, contact GBI Special Agent James Harris or GBI Agent David Gilleland

[KittyMom]

http://www.wdef.com/node/3767
Investigators Search Nearby Pond for Theresa Parker
April 1, 2007 - 5:24pm


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,263642,00.html
ARREST MADE IN CONNECTION TO CASE OF MISSING 911 OPERATOR IN GEORGIA
Wednesday, April 04, 2007

http://www.wdef.com/node/3961
Theresa Parker Update: Sam Parker Suspended from Job
Submitted by Rebecca Cruz on April 6, 2007 - 7:14pm.


http://www1.romenews-tribune.com/soundoff/blog/665/
Theresa Parker’s family sets up fund; prayer vigil planned
By Tim Carlfeldt
Friday April 20, 2007 3:54:05pm

[KittyMom]

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_106979.asp
Theresa Parker Sisters Describe Alleged Abuse By Officer
Declined To Speculate On Who May Have Killed Her
posted May 8, 2007

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,275025,00.html
HUSBAND OF MISSING 911 OPERATOR SAYS SHE RAN OFF AFTER HAVING AFFAIR
Thursday, May 24, 2007
By Liza Porteus

http://www.newschannel9.com/onset?id=12782&template=article.html
Theresa Parker Search
June 2, 2007 - 9:28PM

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_108989.asp
Website Launched To Help Find Theresa Parker
Sheriff Says Investigation "More Active Than Ever"
posted June 18, 2007

http://www.romenewswire.com/?s=theresa
Former Officer Involved In Missing Dispatcher Case Arrested.
Posted under Crime, Police, GBI on July 17th, 2007 by RomeNewswire

[KittyMom]

http://www.newschannel9.com/articles/parker_14930___article.html/theresa_sam.html
Theresa Parker: Missing For Five Months
John Madewell
August 21, 2007 - 5:45PM

http://m.11alive.com/news.jsp?key=30893&rc=lc2&p=1
Specialized K-9 to Aid in Ga. Search
September 15, 2007 00:23 AM

http://www.newschannel9.com/news/parker_965056___article.html/says_sam.html
Sam Parker Gives Lengthy Interview
John Madewell
December 11, 2007 - 6:30PM

http://behindthebluewall.blogspot.com/2007/12/ga-police-sgt-parkers-wife-disappeared.html
Theresa Parker's Mother Speaks About Daughter's Disappearance
newschannel9.com
JohnMadewell
December 21, 2007

[KittyMom]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6w9HHyvQ08
Cop Husband of Missing Theresa Parker Speaks out (1)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YoyoQ8CuEg
Christina speaks about her sister Theresa Parker

http://news.webshots.com/album/559662860faFuik
Theresa Parker
uctv3 > albums

http://gbi.georgia.gov/00/case_detail/0,2695,67862954_74030306_89977649,00.html

http://www.myspace.com/theresaparker911

[PinkPony]

I wonder if she took her bikini?

[Grande]

Thank you Kitty for all the links!

Hopefully one day soon Justice is served in this case!

[wheezer]

Missing Woman's Husband Charged With Her Murder

POSTED: 11:29 am EST February 4, 2008
UPDATED: 12:21 pm EST February 4, 2008


WALKER COUNTY, Ga. -- Walker County officials have charged a missing 911 dispatcher's estranged husband with her murder. Authorities arrested Sam Parker Monday morning and charged him with Theresa Parker's death.

Walker County Georgia Sheriff Steve Wilson announced Monday that Samuel L. Parker, age 52, was arrested by Walker County Sheriff's Office, Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 9:55 a.m. at his residence and charged with one count of murder. Parker has been charged with the death of Walker County 911 dispatcher Theresa Parker.

Sam Parker, a former sergeant with the LaFayette Police Department, has denied having anything to do with his estranged wife's disappearance.

Parker, 41, was last heard from the night of March 21, 2007. Her family reported her missing three days later.

Authorities say her car was still at her house, where she lived alone.

[Sam and Theresa Parker. He was arrested Monday and charged with her murder. She has been missing since March of 2007.]
Sam and Theresa Parker. He was arrested Monday and charged with her murder. She has been missing since March of 2007.

Parker was in the middle of a divorce from Sam Parker when she disappeared, and family members have said the couple had a history of domestic problems. According to 911 logs, police were called to the Parker residence for domestic disputes at least twice, once in 2002 and again in 2004.

Sam Parker was fired from his position as sergeant for the LaFayette Police Department because of the discovery of explosives in his work locker. The explosives were found during a search by the GBI on April 3, 2007.

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/15211951/detail.html

[emmeblu]

It is about time! I hope more details will come out that led LE / GBI / FBI to the arrest of Sam Parker.

[Grande]

:zm10:

[KittyMom]

:0012: Finally. Some good news!!!!

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=730&NewsID=874181&CategoryID=3511&on=1

Sheriff says time was “right” to charge Parker

Some have speculated that information being used to make the murder charge came from Ben Chaffin, the only person who had been arrested in connection with the case.

"The charges against Chaffin are still the same,” the sheriff said. “I can't discuss what, if any role, Chaffin has played in this."

Wilson said that the priority of his department has and will continue to be to find Theresa Parker. "There will be no rest until then," he said.

Wilson said investigators still believe that the body of the missing 911 operator is in the Northwest Georgia area. He said he was still appealing for help from the media and residents of the area to have her body returned to her family.

[KittyMom]

http://www.wdef.com/news/theresas_family_and_community_speak_out_about_sam_ parkers_arrest/02/2008

Theresa Parker's family calls the news bittersweet.

Many residents say they are not surprised.

Shortly after police arrest Sam Parker at his home, a phone call is made to Theresa's family. Theresa's sister Christina Hall tells reporters, "We're relived, we feel like it's a step forward but it's also really hard because Sam Parker was a member of our family for 17 years."

Police believe Theresa's body is somewhere in the Walker County area.

[KittyMom]

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=730&NewsID=874180&CategoryID=3511&show=localnews&om=0

02/04/08
Tim Carlfeldt

Sunday, March 4, 2007
Sam Parker’s father Logan Marcellus Parker dies. His mother Evelyn Carroll Parker had died a year earlier. According to LaFayette attorney William Slack, a friend of Sam, the inheritance left Sam without any financial worries.

Wednesday, March 21
6:00 a.m. - Theresa gets off of work from Walker County 911 Center in Rock Spring. She is off until Saturday March 24. Both Sgt. Sam Parker and Cpl. Harbin “Ben” Chaffin are off their LaFayette Police shift on this Wednesday night.
7:30 p.m. - Theresa and Sam see each other at their home 985 Cordell Ave. LaFayette, Georgia. Theresa’s sister Christina Hall reports that Theresa told her later that she and Sam argued, but did say that Sam had been uncharacteristically nice about the move by buying her boxes. After some time packing, Theresa heads for Ft. Oglethorpe to visit Christina and her boys.
9:30 p.m. - Theresa leaves Christina’s. She had said Sam was supposed to stay in his father’s house in Trion that night, and she was going to clean her new apartment until after midnight, then go to the Cordell Ave. residence to sleep. The next morning she intended to pack her things and move.
10:15 p.m. - Theresa is seen by a neighbor outside of her new apartment at 59 Flagstone Drive Ft. Oglethorpe talking on her cell phone.
10:44 p.m. - Christina Hall noticed on her caller ID that a telephone call came from the Cordell Ave. residence. As it is some 26 miles away from Theresa’s new apartment, it is unlikely the call was from Theresa. Christina later asked Sam if he had made the call. He said no.

Thursday, March 22
12:00 a.m. - Theresa had planned to be at the Cordell Ave. house. Police have a cell phone call made from her phone “sometime after midnight” on March 22 that is the stated cause of the grid search days later (the cell tower that received the call is between Lafayette and Summerville).
6:00 a.m. - Sam says he returned to the house to get a boat motor for his fishing trip with William Slack. He claims to have observed Theresa’s bedroom door closed and assumed she was asleep. He did not open the door to see if she was there.
6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. - Sam is on a fishing trip with Slack, who reported that Sam said he was relieved to be getting a divorce from Theresa.
3:00 p.m. - Sam returns to the Cordell Ave. residence and finds Theresa’s car at the residence but says later to investigators that she was not there. Her purse, overnight bag, and cell phone are missing.

Friday, March 23
Theresa and Sam have an appointment at the bank to split up their equity in the house. She does not show up.
Theresa, who worked the 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. shift, was scheduled to be off work from the evening of Wednesday, March 21 through Sunday, March 25 to deal with her move to Fort Oglethorpe. She had scheduled the delivery of a washer and dryer from Lowes during this time and had reserved a U-Haul truck for Saturday, March 24.
10:45 p.m. - Christina Hall calls Sam through 911 dispatch to ask if he knows the whereabouts of Theresa. Sam told the story about being at the house before the fishing trip and how he had not seen her since. This is also when he denied making the call on the evening of Wednesday, March 21 from the Cordell Ave. house to Christina’s house.

Saturday, March 24
As the case develops into a bona fide missing person situation, and as it involves public safety employees familiar to his staff, Sheriff Steve Wilson calls in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to assist.

Monday, March 26
Wilson says that more than 100 interviews have been conducted and subpoenas have been served for bank and phone records.

Tuesday, March 27
Walker County Sheriff’s Department coordinates a full-scale grid search of about five square miles around the Parker’s Cordell Ave. residence, but nothing is found.

Saturday, March 31
A 35-square-mile grid search in south Walker takes place with over 200 volunteers. Nothing of significance is found. At 5:00 p.m. GBI serves search warrant for the Parker home on Cordell Ave. Sheriff Wilson states that the basis for the search warrant is the development of leads and information obtained during the past seven days. Investigators also begin searching a pond adjacent to the Parker home with divers, and partially drain it to aid in this effort. In the days following, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is called in to aid the investigation. Other smaller-scale searches are conducted by FBI/GBI/WCSO.

Tuesday, April 3
11:00 a.m. - Officials finish draining and searching the pond off Cordell Ave. Again, nothing is found.

Wednesday, April 4
9:00 p.m. – LPD Cpl. Harbin “Ben” Chaffin is arrested for making false statements to investigators, a felony. Chaffin worked directly under Sam Parker, and Tommy Freeman, Director Public Safety reported that they were friends outside of work. GBI declines to state the nature or any specifics of Harbin’s statements. Harbin is suspended without pay from LPD.

Thursday, April 5
Sheriff Wilson says his hunch is that Theresa is within 25-mile radius of LaFayette. Says hunch is based on cell phone records. Sam is suspended without pay for “violations of department policies.”
District Attorney Herbert “Buzz” Franklin of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit disqualifies his office from possible prosecution of the Parker case. In a letter to the state attorney general Franklin revealed that people in his office had close working and personal relationships with Sam Parker. Franklin also wrote that “evidence gathered so far … suggests Theresa Parker may have been killed by Sam Parker.”

Saturday, April 7
Ben Chaffin released from jail on $5,000 bond. He hires LaFayette attorney David Cunningham.

Tuesday, April 10
Sam Parker informs GBI that he has hired an attorney, who advised him to refrain from speaking with investigators.

Friday, April 13
LaFayette Public Safety Director Tommy Freeman announces that Sam Parker has been fired from the Lafayette Police Department. Explosives found in Parker’s work locker during a search by the GBI are cited as the reason. Freeman says that the search revealed some blasting caps and a small amount of C-4 plastic explosive, and that Parker told him he had been issued the material by the department more than 12 years ago and has had it in his possession since that time.

Saturday April 14
Walker County 911 dispatches emergency personnel to Sam Parker’s Cordell Ave. home based on an anonymous caller that said Parker was brandishing a weapon and threatening to hurt himself. Sheriff Steve Wilson summoned Parker’s sister Carolyn Wooten to the scene. After several hours of talking with her, Wilson, and his personal physician, Parker is escorted from his house to an undisclosed location under the treatment of the physician. Wilson stated that Parker told him he was distraught over the pressure that investigators were subjecting him to and the loss of his job. Wilson said Parker did not brandish a weapon at anyone else and was only threatening to harm himself.

Tuesday, May 22
In an interview at the Cordell Ave. house with the Atlanta Fox 5 TV news, Sam Parker speaks publicly for the first time since his wife’s disappearance.
Although the video is accessible on the Internet, Fox 5 reported that Parker insisted the interview not be broadcast on Chattanooga stations. He has not responded to numerous requests for an interview with the Walker County Messenger, and the Chattanooga Times-Free Press reported that he cancelled their interview on the advice of his attorney.

Friday, May 25
FBI agents conduct a “routine follow-up” search at the Cordell Road house of Sam Parker.

Saturday, June 2
One hundred volunteers turn out to search the Ridgeway area of south Walker County for evidence.

Friday, June 22
The GBI seeks more citizen help in the investigation, asking property owners in Walker, Catoosa and Chattooga counties to inspect hand-dug wells, cisterns, mine shafts, caves, abandoned buildings and any natural or manmade earth openings on their properties. The GBI releases the following list of items that Parker had on March 21:
* Black Nextel flip phone
* Large shoulder bag, maroon or dark brown
* Yellow blouse with mid length sleeves and white trim
* Blue jeans and brown leather sandals
* Overnight bag

Wednesday, July 25
Harbin “Ben” Chaffin is arrested in Mobile, Ala. on charges related to the Parker case: tampering with evidence, violation of oath by public officer, computer invasion of privacy. Walker County Magistrate Judge Jerry Day denies District Attorney Leigh Patterson’s motion to deny bond, and Chaffin is released after posting $10,000.

Monday, February 4, 2008
Sam Parker is arrested and charged with the murder of Theresa Parker.

[KittyMom]

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_121446.asp

New charges were filed Tuesday against Sam Parker, who was charged Monday with the death of his wife, Theresa Parker.

Parker faces new charges of making false statements, computer invasion of privacy and violation of oath by a public officer.

[KittyMom]

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=730&NewsID=874276&CategoryID=19199&on=1

02/05/08
Josh O'Bryant

A Walker County grand jury Tuesday morning indicted Sam Parker on four charges, including murder.

He was also indicted for making false statements, computer invasion of privacy, and violation of oath by a public officer. Parker is a former LaFayette police sergeant.

Parker then went before Walker County Magistrate Judge Jerry Day early Tuesday afternoon for a first court appearance in which he formally heard the charges against him.

He now must file for a bond hearing in Walker County Superior Court.

Walker County court administrator Keith Bates says that nothing now is going to happen, in the Sam Parker case, until Superior Court orders are filed.

“I have talked in detail with (Walker County Superior Court) Judge (Bo) Wood about (the trial), and it is all going to depend on how court orders are handled. It is going to be a re-actionary thing,” Bates said Tuesday. “There is not really a timeframe involved for this. It takes as long as it takes.”

According to Bates, if Parker asks for a bond, then it is up to the special prosecutor to react to his request.

The trial is scheduled to occur in Walker County, but the judge for the case is unknown at this time.

“We’ve got four judges. It’s a one-in-four chance it could be any of the judges,” Bates said. “Right now, it is just open to any judge who happens to be available at that time.”

According to Bates, even though this is a high-profile case, a possible bond hearing and the trial only occurs based on when the legal paperwork is filed. Paperwork has not been field for either.

“Until court orders are filed, nothing happens,” Bates said.

At this time, there is no publicly known attorney for Sam Parker.

According to Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson, when someone is charged with a capital felony, such as the Sam Parker case, the bond has to be set by the Superior Court judge.

“In this case, the bond has to be set by a Superior Court judge. There’s many offenses where a magistrate judge can set bond, but there is also a group of charges that has to go to Superior Court,” Wilson said.

According to Wilson, murder is a charge that must be set by a Superior Court judge.

“Typically, in a case such as this, once a lawyer is appointed or retained, that attorney for the defendant will file a motion for a bond hearing with the court,” Wilson said. “At that point, the district attorney would represent the state and argue or agree to bond and the defense would petition the court to set a bond.

“And that’s the way that it would work in this particular case here — an attorney would file a motion for a bond hearing in Superior Court and at that point both sides would put up evidence for or against bond being set. At that point, the court would have the authority to deny bond or they could set a bond and allow the defendant to try to make that bond,” Wilson said.

According to Wilson, a defendant can make bond in one of three ways in Georgia: put up cash; have an approved bonding company sign his bond; or use a property bond. An individual can leverage their property as collateral to bail out a defendant.

[Pauli]

Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Sam Parker pleads not guilty; witnesses recount threats

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.

http://timesfreepress.com/news/2008/feb/26/sam-parker-pleads-not-guilty-witnesses-recount-thr/

[Pauli]

Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Parker bond pending judge’s decision

LAFAYETTE, Ga. — Six witnesses described a rough and raging Sam Parker during his bond hearing and arraignment Tuesday morning.

“He told me, ‘I have killed before, and I will kill again,’” said Tabitha Thomas, who has known Mr. Parker for at least seven years.

Mrs. Thomas, Theresa Parker’s former sister-in-law, said Mr. Parker made that comment regarding a family dispute.

She was one of six witnesses who recounted frightening interactions with Mr. Parker, a former LaFayette, Ga., police officer accused of murdering his wife.

He also is charged with three additional felonies of making false statements, computer invasion of privacy and violation of oath by a public officer.

The only person to speak on Mr. Parker’s behalf was Chattooga County Probate and Magistrate Court Judge Jon Payne, who said he has known the defendant and his family for about 40 years. Mr. Payne made it clear that he was not answering questions as an official, but as a family friend. He said Mr. Parker is not a flight risk or a danger to the public.

“He is a native child,” Mr. Payne said. “His family is from here. He doesn’t have anywhere to go and he doesn’t have any money.”

Mr. Parker sat alone before his appearance at the Walker County Court House, his hands and feet shackled and clean shaven. Two guards loomed behind him.

The defendant was quiet through most of the hearing, except to whisper to his lawyer, Public Defender David Dunn.

Mrs. Parker, a former Walker County 911 dispatcher, will be missing for one year on March 22, and, though no body has been found, Sam Parker was arrested Feb. 4 on a murder charge. Mr. Parker has told the Chattanooga Times Free Press in the past that he did not hurt his estranged wife.

But Rome Judicial Circuit District Attorney Leigh Patterson gathered witnesses who claim Mr. Parker has violent, unethical and erratic tendencies.

Mr. Parker’s ex-wife Keila Beard told the courtroom that after about three years of marriage “something clicked” when she asked her husband about a conversation he had with a woman she didn’t recognize.

“All of a sudden he got real hostile,” she said. “He grabbed me by the back of my hair and drug me through the house. He handcuffed me to the bed.”

On another occasion he threatened to kill her, she said.

“He pulled his gun out and held it to my head and said he would blow my brains all over the wall,” she said.

LaFayette police officer Stacy Meeks testified that while then-LaFayette Police Chief Charles “Dino” Richardson was dying from cancer, Mr. Parker took papers out of his personnel file.

“He stated he didn’t want the new chief to see anything bad,” Mr. Meeks said.

Throughout testimony Mr. Dunn questioned the witnesses about why they did not immediately report these problems. He also said it was “very unusual” to have so many witnesses during a bond hearing.

“I think that was more for the media’s benefit than the judge,” he said.
Mr. Parker often rapidly tapped his foot during the proceedings, and Mr. Dunn acknowledged that his client seemed agitated.

“I think he was hearing things that he did not agree with as being true,” Mr. Dunn said. “Sam is fine. He is ready to fight this.”

Walker County Superior Court Judge Jon Bolling Wood will decide if and when Sam Parker will be freed on bond.

Judge Wood said he would make a decision after he considers the information he heard during more than two hours of testimony Tuesday morning.

Mrs. Parker’s sister, Christina Hall, said she was relieved that her brother-in-law was not freed Tuesday.

Hilda Wilson, Mrs. Parker’s other sister, could not attend the hearing, but her daughters did. Mrs. Wilson’s daughter Amanda Gilbert said attending the hearing was difficult.

“The hardest part for me is seeing him, because he was such a big part of our family,” she said.

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2008/feb/27/parker-bond-pending-judges-decision/

[Pauli]

[GA] Sgt. Parker's death threats to OTHERS alleged

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krehKDclEr4

[KittyMom]

http://www.newschannel9.com/news/parker_966767___article.html/sam_testified.html

Sam Parker faces charges of his estranged wife's Theresa's death even though her body has not been found. She has not been seen since March of last year. His bond AND arraignment hearing happened this morning in Lafayette, Georgia.

Three different people, including Sam Parker's mother-in-law, testified the former LaFayette police officer had made death threats against them. His ex-wife, Keila Beard, testified he once jumped on top of her, started choking her, pulled out his service revolver and put it to her head threatening to blow her brains out. You will not see any of this testimony, because Judge Jon Wood denied our request for cameras in the court.

Sam Parker arrived at the Walker County jail around 8:15 this morning. The prosecution had six witnesses testify about his past. Three people testified of personal death threats made by Parker. And Panama City, Florida police officer John Deegis testified about what our investigative team REVEALED TO you almost one year ago.

The officer testified back in 2003, Sam Parker had handcuffed himself to his wife Theresa Parker in his car and told her he wanted to blow his brains out with her cuffed to him. In addition, Parker's ex sister-in-law, Tabitha Thomas testified Sam Parker threatened to kill her. Thomas was married to Theresa Parker's brother and had trouble getting child support from him. She says Sam Parker told her to stop pursuing it and that he would kill her, her new husband, kids and bury them where no one would find them. She testified he also said he had killed before and was not afraid to do it again.
But she never filed any kind of police report. Parker's attorney says the state's witnesses had a purpose.

David Dunn said, "I think that was more for the media's benefit than the judge."

We asked Dunn if it was typical for that amount of witnesses for a bond hearing. He responded, "Very unusual."

Parker was visibly upset during some of the witness testimony. His attorney explained, "I think maybe your first word is better, agitated. I think he was hearing things that he did not agree with as being true. But evidentiary issues we'll fight out in court, they're not for this forum," Dunn said.

After the hearing, Theresa Parker's sister didn't say much after meeting with investigators. We asked her if the non decision on bond was tough for the family.

Christina Hall said, "A little bit, but we feel good about it. We do, we feel really good about it, just keep our fingers crossed."

In the arraignment portion of Sam Parker's hearing, he pleaded not guilty. He remains in custody. Judge Jon Wood says he will take the bond matter under advisement.

[KittyMom]

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=730&NewsID=880162&CategoryID=18845&on=1

02/26/08
Josh O'Bryant

Sam Parker, who is charged with murdering his wife, Theresa Parker, pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Walker County Superior Court. Meanwhile bond was delayed pending the presiding judge’s decision.

An arraignment and bond hearing was held before Judge Jon Bolling “Bo” Wood.

On Tuesday more than a half-dozen people 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 for more than two hours.

Judge Wood decided to hold another hearing at a later day to announce whether he will a

Theresa Parker, missing since March 21, 2007 llow bond for Sam Parker.

Probate judge who is a family friend says Sam should get bond

Jon Payne, Chattooga County probate judge, 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.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some key facts in the Parker case
Theresa Parker, a dispatcher with Walker County 911, has been missing since March 21, 2007.
Theresa and her husband, Sam, had a house on Cordell Road, which is northeast of LaFayette in Walker County. They were undergoing divorce preparations and were not living together. She was living at the Cordell Road residence and he was living in his deceased father’s house in Trion in Chattooga County.
Sam, a sergeant with the LaFayette Police Department, immediately became a “person of interest” in his wife’s disappearance.
In early April, Harbin “Ben” Chaffin, a corporal with the LaFayette Police Department and a good friend of Sam, was arrested for making false statements to investigators in the Parker case.
Also in early April, District Attorney Herbert “Buzz” Franklin disqualified his office, which is headquartered in LaFayette, from the case. The case was turned over to the Floyd County district attorney’s office in Rome, Ga. with DA Leigh Patterson in charge.
Sam was fired from his LaFayette police job in mid-April after authorities found explosives in his work locker. In late July, Chaffin was charged with tampering with evidence, violation of oath by public officer, and computer invasion of privacy. He is out of jail on bond.
In early February 2008, Sam was charged with and indicted with the murder of his wife.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Theresa’s mother says Sam threatened her

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,” Careathers replied.

“Did you confront the officers?” Dunn asked.

“I did,” she replied.

According to Careathers, she did not confront Sam Parker with matter.

Witness: Sam said “he would kill me”

Also testifying was Tabitha Thomas, Theresa Parker’s former sister-in-law (formerly married to Theresa Parker’s brother, Richard Fielding.)

According to Dunn, Fielding has been a fugitive from the law since 2004, due to $24,000 in child support issues.

During Dunn’s questioning of Thomas, she admitted to the claim that Careathers was harboring Fielding, but insisted that she was not try to cause problems with Careathers.

According to Thomas, while she was leaving Fielding in 2004, Sam Parker called her to ask her if she was going to talk to police about Fielding’s child support issues.

Thomas said that Parker told her to stop picking on Fielding.

“He told me if I didn’t stop, he would kill me, bury my body and no one would ever find me.

Asked if she ever reported this to the police, she said, “No. It would be my word against his.”

According to Thomas, she moved out of LaFayette in 2005, in hopes of getting away from Sam Parker.

Asked if she is still afraid of him, she said “yes.”

She did not tell officials of this incident until April or May 2007, according to court testimony.

Ex-wife says Sam handcuffed her to bed

Another witness to take the stand was Keila Beard, a former wife of Sam Parker.

Beard was married to Parker for four years, from 1986 to 1990.

Beard recalled a domestic situation in which she questioned Parker on a conversation he had with another woman.

Beard said, “We were in the living room and went into the kitchen…. He got a glass of water.”

Floyd County DA Leigh Patterson asked, “So, you asked, ‘who is this girl you were talking to?’ What was his immediate reaction?”

Beard said, “I wasn’t accusing or anything. It could have been his cousin, I didn’t know who it was. It could have been someone he worked with, I just said, ‘who is that girl you were talking to, somebody I know?’ So, it was just almost like something clicked…all of a sudden he got real hostile.”

According to Beard, from there Parker threw his glass of water down and the glass shattered.

Beard said that Parker grabbed her by the back of her hair and dragged her through the house. Her feet were cut from the broken glass on the floor.

According to Beard, at that point, Parker handcuffed her left hand to the bed.

Parker then cleaned up the broken glass and blood from the floor.

Beard said that he left her handcuffed for an hour.

According to Beard, after the dispute, Parker returned to work.

Beard said that after he released her, she went to bed and cried herself to sleep.

Patterson asked her why she did not call anyone, and Beard said she did not know who to call, or if authorities would have believed her ordeal with Sam Parker.

Beard recalled another encounter with Parker on her birthday in 1989. At that point, Beard had learned that Parker was leaving her.

He had told her that he would be moving out in the near future.

After Parker moved out, Beard went out with some girlfriends and had dinner.

She arrived back at her home and began to relax on the couch and watch television.

According to Beard, Sam Parker arrived at the home and entered the house with a key.

Beard said that his entrance startled her.

Parker informed Beard that someone had told him that they had seen her out.

According to Beard, Parker was very agitated and upset.

Beard said that he came over to her on the couch, got on top of her and began to choke her with both his hands.

According to Beard, Parker then pulled out a gun and placed it to her head. She remained quiet so she would not awake her daughter.

“He eventually left, because he was on duty,” Beard said.

According to Beard, she immediately called a friend. Parker had returned to the house and asked her who she was talking to.

“So, he took the phone out of my hand and he talked to her…I heard him say, I won’t hurt her.”

According to Beard, he then hung up the phone.

After the divorce was finalized, Beard told the late police chief Charles “Dino” Richardson of her domestic abuse from Parker, after Parker had pulled her daughter over for a traffic violation. Beard felt that someone else should handle the situation.

Dunn asked her if she had ever filed a complaint or made a report, and she said, “No sir. I was afraid for my life and my daughters.”

Police officer says Sam took documents

Next to testify was LaFayette Police Department officer Stacy Meeks.

Meeks recalled a situation that took place between Parker and himself in the office of “Dino” Richardson.

This was during the time Richardson was ill at home, prior to his death.

According to Meeks, Sam Parker (the higher ranking officer at the time) called him into the office to look at the detailed filing system on officers.

Meeks said that both the men looked at their individual files.

Meeks said Parker didn’t want the new chief to see anything that would damage him. Parker said he didn’t want the new chief to judge him based on the files.

According to Meeks, he did not remove anything from his own file, but Parker had removed information from his file.

“I knew it was improper. I looked at my file, but I didn’t take anything out.”

According to Meeks, he later told the new police chief, Tommy Freeman, about the incident, when he was questioned about Parker.

“I wanted to tell the truth. They (investigators) wanted facts to his behavior.”

Meeks was asked if Parker had ever told him how to dispose of a body and he replied, “Yes. Many years ago.”

Dunn questioned the sense of humor police officers have and how that sense of humor may be in regards to hiding a body, in response to Parker telling of how to dispose of a body.

Meeks said, “I never heard anybody say it.”

Two officers testify about suicide attempts

The next to testify was Burt Cagle, special investigator with Walker County Sheriff’s Department. Cagle recounted Parker’s suicide attempt. Dunn said that Parker never actually tried anything, nor threatened anyone.

The last person to testify was John Deegan, an officer with the Panama City Police Department.

The officer recounted an incident in 2003 in Panama City Beach, Fla., in which Theresa Parker called the police out of worry for Sam Parker, who was intoxicated and threatening suicide.

Theresa told the police officers that Sam had fired a gun outside of the vehicle.

When the authorities arrived, Parker was said to be “very moody.”

The officer found a handgun under a pillow and another gun in a black case, missing one bullet.

According to the officer, Parker was taken and committed into psychiatric care.

The officer said Parker stated he would handcuff himself to Theresa, so she could see him blow his brains out.

The officer treated the incident as a suicide scenario, rather than domestic violence.

The officer speculated that she would know he would loose his job if he were convicted of domestic violence.

[KittyMom]

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=724&NewsID=881594&CategoryID=3418&on=1

A Walker County Superior Court judge on Thursday denied bond for Sam Parker, the former LaFayette police sergeant charged with the murder of his wife, Theresa Parker.

Judge Jon “Bo” Wood handed down the decision.

In a hearing Tuesday at the Walker County courthouse in LaFayette, Judge Wood heard more than two hours of testimony from seven people, including several who said Sam Parker had threatened them. Some also testified that Parker had tried to commit suicide.

Parker, who was charged with murder on Feb. 4, has also been charged with making false statements, computer invasion of privacy and violation of oath by a public officer. He was incarcerated at the Floyd County jail following his arrest.

According to court documents, Parker is being held in the Catoosa County jail.

Parker’s attorney is David Dunn with the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit’s public defender office in LaFayette. Dunn lives in Catoosa County.

[Pauli]

A year after Theresa Parker was reported missing, her family, friends still hope for closure

LaFAYETTE, Ga. — Nearly one year after Walker County 911 dispatcher Theresa Parker disappeared, Hilda Wilson sorted through her missing sister’s belongings, trying to salvage memories.

Last week, at the Cordell Road home that Theresa Parker once shared with her husband Sam Parker, Mrs. Wilson found her sister’s belongings haphazardly stuffed into one room and a closet.

Mr. Parker, a former LaFayette police sergeant, is charged with his wife’s murder, although no body has been found.

Mrs. Parker was reported missing on March 22 a year ago, but the family’s grief is still fresh and heavy.

“It was very difficult,” Mrs. Wilson said about going through belongings. “My girls were bawling. For the most part it was really hard and really strange.”

Sorting through the disorganized items — from clothes to pictures that were left in Mr. Parker’s possession for the past year — had family members recalling Mrs. Parker’s personality.

She was a “neat freak,” Mrs. Wilson said. “She was really particular like that. She took care of everything so well.”

Mrs. Wilson said the belongings hinted at her Mrs. Parker’s practices and character. She was the kind of person with nightly rituals and organized closet space. Mrs. Wilson found her missing sister’s bedside table still in order.

Mrs. Parker’s nieces sifted through papers, and found a letter from a sick nine-year-old girl thanking Mrs. Parker for donating money to an organization to help the child battle her disease.

“She felt people’s pain,” Mrs. Wilson said. “She is the kind of person who opens the car window and gives money to people on the side of the road.”

One year
It has been a long year since Mrs. Parker was reported missing.
Months of searching, praying, and appeals to the public and media for information and publicity were followed by months of silence after District Attorney Leigh Patterson was appointed to the case and hushed authorities.

Occasional incidents renewed attention. Mr. Parker tried to harm himself. Tip lines and rewards were established. Memorials were held. Another former LaFayette Police officer Harbin “Ben” Chaffin was arrested.

Sam Parker remained mostly quiet, except to give two interviews to say he did not harm his wife. Initially he alluded that he knew where she was. Safe. Maybe in Florida and wanting to be left alone.

Then on Feb. 4 Mr. Parker was arrested and charged with his wife’s murder.

At the arraignment where he pleaded “not guilty,” six witnesses were called and recounted incidents where they were threatened by Mr. Parker or saw him behave violently. Mr. Parker was denied bond and remains jailed.

Mrs. Parker’s co-workers are still hurting one year later.

“They don’t go a day without thinking about Theresa,” said Walker County 911 Director David Ashburn.

Mrs. Wilson said feelings are still almost unbearable. She said her daughters want to go see their estranged uncle in jail in hopes of finding answers.

In the search for closure, the family hopes to create a memorial on the Cordell Road land, which belonged to Mrs. Parker. Maybe it would be a good place for a flower garden, said Mrs. Wilson, who said she has felt her sister’s spirit nearby.

Still, despite a year it seems like yesterday, Mrs. Wilson said.

“It may be the fact that we can’t find her,” she said. “We don’t know where she is but we know she is dead. It is almost like it just happened. It is that pain that is just there.”

WHAT’S NEXT?
Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson said authorities are still seeking help from landowners and the general public to find Mrs. Parker. Anyone with information should call the tip line at (706) 639-2255.

Mr. Parker’s lawyer, Public Defender David Dunn, said this week there are no court proceedings scheduled in the near future.

http://timesfreepress.com/news/2008/mar/22/year-after-theresa-parker-was-reported-missing-her/?localfuture.

[KittyMom]

http://www.macon.com/149/story/320242.html

LaFAYETTE, Ga. --Investigators have been using robotic cameras to search wells, underwater caves and deep swimming holes for a Walker County 911 dispatcher who has been missing more than a year.

Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson said Thursday his detectives and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation have not given up hope on finding either clues or the body of 42-year-old Theresa Parker. Her estranged husband, 52-year-old Samuel Parker, was arrested in February and charged with her murder after being a person of interest in the case for nearly 11 months.

Parker, a former LaFayette police officer, is being held in jail without bond.

Theresa Parker was last seen the night of March 21, 2007, leaving her sister's home.

Information from: The Daily Citizen, http://www.daltondailycitizen.com

[Faith]

New tip line for Theresa Parker case

06/06/08

The Walker County Sheriff’s Department has changed the Theresa Parker tip line to

(706) 638-1909, ext. 239.

Anyone with information about her disappearance is urged to call this number.

Parker is the 911 dispatcher who has been missing since March 21, 2007. Her husband, former LaFayette police officer Sam Parker, is in jail awaiting trial on four charges, including murder. Theresa’s body has not been found.

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=730&NewsID=907882&CategoryID=3511&on=1

[Faith]

Theresa Parker case

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpid=730&show=newscast&CategoryID=19199&om=1

[Faith]

Family Website

http://www.findtheresaparker.com/

[emmeblu]

:1222423:For Theresa's family.

I sure wish there would be a break in this case. After all this time, I was hoping that someone would call in the tip that helps locate Theresa.

[Carlie69]

:1222423:For Theresa's family.

I sure wish there would be a break in this case. After all this time, I was hoping that someone would call in the tip that helps locate Theresa.

This is one case that went cold really fast.
I had a link to the Theresa Parker message board, guess I need to look it up again.
Last thing I heard was the Sam was arrested, but nothing more. The GBI has been pretty tightlipped about the whole thing.

[Carlie69]

:1222423:For Theresa's family.

I sure wish there would be a break in this case. After all this time, I was hoping that someone would call in the tip that helps locate Theresa.

Here is the link to the Theresa Parker web site message board. http://theresaparker.proboards91.com/index.cgi I'm a member there but for some reason I can't post and wants my activation code again. I reqest it to be sent but it never comes.
But this is the place to watch for new updates for the family and friends of Theresa Parker runs it.
Carlie

[grammybears]

This case is so sad. I would have thought that Theresa would have been found by now. But with all of Sam's threatening to kill people and make them disappear it does not surprise me.
Has there been any news on a trial date? Sam has been locked up for quite awhile.
I just cannot even imagine what her poor family is going through.
I pray that someday the earth will give up her body and there can be closure for her family.

jmoo

[Carlie69]

This case is so sad. I would have thought that Theresa would have been found by now. But with all of Sam's threatening to kill people and make them disappear it does not surprise me.
Has there been any news on a trial date? Sam has been locked up for quite awhile.
I just cannot even imagine what her poor family is going through.
I pray that someday the earth will give up her body and there can be closure for her family.

jmoo


This is one case that I started following when it first started and the GBI kept it all hush hush. That sight that I listed above is where I've gotten most of my info from. I found out more there then I did anywhere else.
They were posting information first hand.
For some reason I'm not able to even post there now. I've tried and it will not let me. I don't know why, I don't have a reason from anyone either.
I know I had chatted in the chat room with them but since there wasn't anything new going on and then I had started following the Stacy Peterson case it was put on the back burner and I just tried to go there and post and it doesn't allow me. So I don't know if they thought I was a spy or what, but they never even tried to contact me to ask me anything.
I just found it strange. But I can still read there, just can't post.

[sarahhod]

Little information on status of Parker murder case

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=730&NewsID=943877&CategoryID=3511&on=1

01/12/09

It has been nearly a year since former LaFayette police officer Sam Parker was charged with murdering his wife, Theresa.

Still, those handling the case aren’t saying much.

David Dunn, Parker’s public defender, said he’s waiting on the district attorney’s office.

“I have received some of the materials from them, but there are a number of other items that are crucial to our investigation of the case that I haven’t been able to receive yet,” Dunn said.

Floyd County district attorney Leigh Patterson said she cannot discuss the case publicly.

Patterson took over prosecution of the case after the Walker County district attorney’s office disqualified itself.

Patterson did say the state is not seeking the death penalty. She said the maximum punishment for Parker, if convicted, would be life in prison.

She declined to say when the district attorney’s office will file motions and take the case to trial.

She said the fact that Theresa’s body has not been found is not delaying prosecution of the case.

Meanwhile Parker is being housed in the Catoosa County jail.

Background on Parker case

Theresa Parker, a dispatcher with Walker County 911, has been missing since March 21, 2007.

Theresa and Sam had a house on Cordell Road, which is northeast of LaFayette in Walker County. They were undergoing divorce preparations and were not living together. She was living at the Cordell Road residence and he was living in his deceased father’s house in Trion in Chattooga County.

Sam, a sergeant with the LaFayette Police Department, immediately became a “person of interest” in his wife’s disappearance.

In early April 2007, Harbin “Ben” Chaffin, a corporal with the LaFayette Police Department and a good friend of Sam, was arrested for making false statements to investigators in the Parker case.

Also in early April, district attorney Herbert “Buzz” Franklin disqualified his office, which is headquartered in LaFayette, from the case. The case was turned over to the Floyd County district attorney’s office in Rome, Ga., with district attorney Leigh Patterson in charge.

Sam was fired from his LaFayette police job in mid-April after authorities found explosives in his work locker. In late July 2007, Chaffin was charged with tampering with evidence, violation of oath by public officer, and computer invasion of privacy. He is out of jail on bond.

In early February 2008, Sam was charged with and indicted with the murder of his wife.

[sarahhod]

Grim Anniversary in the Death of Theresa Parker
January 21, 2009 - 1:06 PM
Sarah Jennings

http://www.newschannel9.com/news/parker_975004___article.html/theresa_investigators.html


An unsolved murder case remains cold in north Georgia. It's now been 21 months since the disappearance of Walker County dispatcher Theresa Parker.

Sam Parker, Theresa's estranged husband, has been charged with her murder, but investigators have not been able to find her body. Although she has not been found, investigators and relatives believe Theresa Parker is dead.

[sarahhod]

Georgia: Parker preliminary hearing date set

April 7, 2009

LaFAYETTE, Ga. — Former LaFayette police officer Sam Parker — accused of killing his wife, former Walker County 911 operator Theresa Parker — is scheduled to have a preliminary court appearance on April 17.

He will have another appearance in May 17, records show, and both appearances will be in LaFayette with Judge Jon Boling Wood.

After his wife disappeared in March 2007, Mr. Parker was charged with murder in the case.

He pleaded “not guilty” at a Feb. 4 arraignment, where six witnesses were called and recounted incidents where they said they were threatened by Mr. Parker or saw him behave violently.

In recent months, attention to the case has died down, but when Mrs. Parker disappeared, the story drew much interest and national media coverage.

Another former LaFayette Police officer, Harbin “Ben” Chaffin, was also arrested and charged with four felonies in connection with the case.

http://timesfreepress.com/news/2009/apr/07/georgia-parker-preliminary-hearing-date-set/?breakingnews

[annalyzer]

Hearings set in Parker murder case

http://news.mywebpal.com/partners/724/images/news/ACF93E1.jpg
Sam Parker

04/08/09

Sam Parker Motion hearings in the Theresa Parker murder case have been scheduled for Friday, April 17, and Friday, May 15, at the Walker County Courthouse in LaFayette.

The hearings will be held before Judge Jon Boling Wood. Floyd County district attorney Leigh Patterson and public defender David Dunn have filed several motions in the case.

One of the motions filed by the defense is a change of venue that was filed in Walker County Superior Court in February 2008. The defense is asking that the case not be tried in Walker County.

The change of venue motion says, “These depictions, descriptions and accounts have included significant portions of innuendo and hearsay evidence relative to Mr. Samuel L. Parker and Mrs. Theresa Parker — much of it inaccurate — that have not been considered in any way by court. This information stands to severely prejudice Mr. Samuel L. Parker as well as the conduct of the trial and related proceedings in this case, and makes it exceedingly unlikely that an impartial, unbiased jury could be selected in this case.”

http://news.mywebpal.com/partners/724/images/news/ACF93E2.jpg
Theresa Parker, missing since March 21

Theresa Parker, a dispatcher with Walker County 911, has been missing since March 21, 2007.

Her husband Sam, a sergeant with the LaFayette Police Department at the time, immediately became a “person of interest” in his wife’s disappearance. In February 2008, Sam Parker was charged with the murder of his wife.

In April 2007, Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit district attorney Herbert “Buzz” Franklin disqualified his office, which is headquartered in LaFayette, from the case. The case was turned over to the Floyd County district attorney’s office in Rome, with Patterson in charge.

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=724&NewsID=957076&CategoryID=3418&show=localnews&om=1

[sarahhod]

Sam Parker Battles Murder Charge in Court

April 17, 2009 - 10:52 AM
Nathan Frick (nfrick@newschannel9.com)

It's been more than two years since Walker County 911 Dispatcher Theresa Parker's disappearance, her estranged husband Sam Parker is in court battling charges against him that he killed her. Today before Walker County Superior Court Judge Jon "Bo" Wood, Parker's defense team, led by Public Defender David Dunn made numerous motions.
Our crew in the courtroom tells us the main one heard so far this morning is the defense challenging all four counts of the indictment against former police officer Sam Parker for lack of specifity. The defense says there is no evidence Theresa is dead and the indictment doesn't say how she died.
The Prosecution is getting ready to put a witness on the stand.

http://www.newschannel9.com/news/parker_977501___article.html/court_sam.html

[sarahhod]

Saturday, April 18, 2009 , 12:05 a.m.

Chattanooga: Judge denies separation of charges for Parker

By: Chloé Morrison (http://timesfreepress.com/staff/chloe-morrison/)
(Contact (http://timesfreepress.com/staff/chloe-morrison/contact/))


http://media.timesfreepress.com/images/inlineicons/audiored.gif Audio (http://timesfreepress.com/news/2009/apr/18/chattanooga-judge-denies-separation-charges-parker/#audio) http://media.timesfreepress.com/images/inlineicons/videored.gif Video (http://timesfreepress.com/news/2009/apr/18/chattanooga-judge-denies-separation-charges-parker/#video)


http://media.timesfreepress.com/images/audio_logo.jpg


Hilda Wilson- Download MP3 (http://javascript<b></b>:download11478();) -
LaFAYETTE, Ga. — Hilda Wilson couldn’t bear to look at the man accused of killing her sister, and when she saw him in court Friday, she nearly broke down.
“I almost cried,” she said. “I was just extremely sad because I just felt a connection between him and the disappearance of my sister.”

http://media.timesfreepress.com/img/photos/2009/04/17/web_0418_ln_Theresa_Parker_t305.jpg?ba7ba0dd8d7f1e 464d5eb01fb9ba8c10bd9c61fe
Staff Photo by Allison Kwesell Claire Carruthers, Theresa Parker's mother, right, walks into the Walker County Courthouse with Ms. Parker's nieces, Ashten Gilbert, center, and Arica Patterson after a short break in the motion hearing of Sam Parker, who was accused of killing Ms. Parker.

On Friday, Sam Parker, dressed in a blue-gray jumpsuit and chained at his hands and feet, was out of jail for the first time in more than a year, appearing before Walker County Superior Court Judge Jon “Bo” Wood in the first of at least two motion hearings.
The former LaFayette police officer is accused of killing his estranged wife, Walker County 911 operator Theresa Parker, who disappeared in March 2007. He also faces three other felonies — computer invasion of privacy, obstructing justice and violation of his oath as a law officer.
Mr. Parker’s lawyer, public defender David Dunn, argued Friday that prosecutors mishandled the indictment against his client in a number of ways, making it invalid. But District Attorney Leigh Patterson said her team has followed the law and provided all the necessary information to move forward with a trial.

PDF: Indictment against Sam Parker and motions from defense lawyers and prosecutors (http://media.timesfreepress.com/docs/2009/04/samparkermotion.pdf)
Article: Georgia: Sam Parker talks about life in jail (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2009/apr/17/georgia-sam-parker-talks-about-life-jail/)
Article: Investigators use robotic camera to search well, Blue Hole for clues or body of Theresa Parker (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2008/apr/11/investigators-use-robotic-camera-search-well-blue-/)
Judge denies bond for Sam Parker (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2008/feb/28/judge-denies-bond-sam-parker)
Parker bond pending judge’s decision (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2008/feb/27/parker-bond-pending-judges-decision/)
Parker facing more charges (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2008/feb/06/parker-facing-more-charges/)
Husband arrested in missing dispatcher case (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2008/feb/05/husband-arrested-missing-dispatcher-case)
Walker County 911 dispatcher missing since March 21 (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2007/mar/26/Walker-County-911-dispatcher-missing-since-March/)
International investigator, K-9 dog join Parker search (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2007/sep/13/International-investigator-K9-dog-join-Parker/)
Dispatcher's family plans vigil to keep search alive (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2007/apr/23/Dispatchers-family-plans-vigil-to-keep-search/)
Officer to face extradition on charges in missing dispatcher case (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2007/jul/18/Officer-to-face-extradition-on-charges-in/)
LaFayette Police officer fired for having explosives (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2007/apr/13/LaFayette-Police-officer-fired-for-having/)
Sheriff starts tip line for Parker case (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2007/apr/30/Sheriff-starts-tip-line-for-Parker-case/)
Dispatcher's family tries to move on as questions persist (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2007/apr/27/Dispatchers-family-tries-to-move-on-as/)
Message boards new turf in Parker case (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2007/jul/07/Message-boards-new-turf-in-Parker-case/)
Missing dispatcher fundraiser planned (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2007/may/10/Missing-dispatcher-fundraiser-planned/)
New prosecutor accepts missing woman case (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2007/apr/26/New-prosecutor-accepts-missing-woman-case/)
Missing woman's husband fired (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2007/apr/13/Missing-womans-husband-fired/)
Dispatcher's friend keeps busy with vigils, fundraisers (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2007/may/19/Dispatchers-friend-keeps-busy-with-vigils/)
Family of missing woman announces launch of Web site (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2007/jun/18/Family-of-missing-woman-announces-launch-of-Web/)
Theresa Parker family creates Web site (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2007/jun/18/Theresa-Parker-family-creates-Web-site/)
Illinois case mirrors Parker's (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2007/dec/07/Illinois-case-mirrors-Parkers/)
Mrs. Parker's 911 job filled (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2007/aug/31/Mrs-Parkers-911-job-filled/)
LaFayette officer suspended without pay (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2007/apr/06/LaFayette-officer-suspended-without-pay/)
Husband of missing dispatcher Theresa Parker says he's been singled out unfairly (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2007/dec/07/Husband-of-missing-dispatcher-Theresa-Parker/)
Search continues for dispatcher (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2007/mar/31/Search-continues-for-dispatcher/)
LaFayette officer charged with making false statements in Parker investigation (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2007/apr/03/LaFayette-officer-charged-with-making-false/)
When a loved one is missing (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2007/may/13/When-a-loved-one-is-missing/)
Pond draining comes up empty (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2007/apr/04/Pond-draining-comes-up-empty/)
Authorities draining pond in dispatcher search (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2007/apr/02/Authorities-draining-pond-in-dispatcher-search/)
Benefit for missing woman seeks smiles (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2007/may/22/Benefit-for-missing-woman-seeks-smiles/)
Lawyer to Parker: Stop talking (http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2007/may/25/Lawyer-to-Parker-Stop-talking/)

Mr. Parker mostly was quiet during the court proceedings, although he made small talk with his lawyers before the hearing, occasionally showing a faint smile. At one time he passed a note to one of his lawyers, and he tapped the toe of his shackled foot throughout the hearing. His hair — short, receding and peppered with gray at the temples — looked the same as it did the day he was arrested in February 2008.
“I had heard that the stress of being in jail had really taken a toll on him, but as far as I can tell, he looks the same to me,” Mrs. Wilson said of the man she once considered family.
Judge Wood heard several defense motions and quickly ruled to deny requests from Mr. Parker and his attorneys to grant a preliminary hearing and to try the several offenses separately.
At the next hearing on May 15, Judge Wood will consider a change-of-venue motion and a request from Mr. Dunn to allow his client to bond out of jail.
The senior judge with the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit also is considering a request from Mrs. Patterson, who asked him to allow her to present evidence from a witness by way of deposition because 71-year-old Alice Virginia Cordell is too frail and sick to appear in court, according to Friday testimony from her doctor, Ted Scoggins.
Mrs. Cordell was a neighbor of Sam and Theresa Parker. She has emphysema and panic attacks, and Mr. Scoggins said her life could be in danger if she were required to testify in court.
“Her testimony is very important,” Mrs. Patterson said. “It is absolutely testimony that we require.”
But Mr. Dunn said allowing a deposition would be a violation of his client’s constitutional right to face his accusers and that the prosecution should bring its witnesses to court as everyone else does. Judge Wood is considering the request.
For the family, the hearing was a harsh reminder that they may never find closure.
Mrs. Parker’s mother, Claire Carruthers — who wore a yellow ribbon pin to remember her daughter — said she didn’t sleep well last night, anticipating the hearing.
Family members said they can’t believe so much time has passed, because their heartache still is strong. Mrs. Wilson said the family has considered having a memorial service for Mrs. Parker because they know she is dead, but they haven’t given up hope of finding her body.
“I actually had to go through some of Theresa’s things yesterday,” she said. “I thought I was ready ... but there is no closure.”

http://timesfreepress.com/news/2009/apr/18/chattanooga-judge-denies-separation-charges-parker/

[sarahhod]

Wednesday, April 22, 2009 , 11:36 a.m.

Parker murder trial pushed back

By: Chloé Morrison (http://timesfreepress.com/staff/chloe-morrison/)


Sam Parker, the former LaFayette, Ga., police officer charged with murder in the disappearance of his wife, will not go on trial June 8 as planned.
Mr. Parker’s attorney, public defender David Dunn, said this morning he has learned that Superior Court Judge Jon “Bo” Wood had a scheduling conflict on that date.
Mr. Dunn said a new trial date has not been selected. Another motion hearing in the case is scheduled for May 15.
Mr. Parker is charged with murdering his wife, former Walker County 911 operator Theresa Parker, along with four other felony charges.

http://timesfreepress.com/news/2009/apr/22/parker-murder-trial-pushed-back/?breakingnews

[Nut44x4]

Witness in Sam Parker Case Dies
Updated: June 2, 2009 06:34 AM EDT

LAFAYETTE, GA (WRCB) A material witness in the case against Sam Parker is dead.

It's been more than two years since Theresa Parker went missing.

Her body has never been found, but her estranged husband Sam is charged with murder.

At a hearing in april, the district attorney made a motion for 71-year-old Alice Cordell to give a video deposition.

That deposition was recorded, and Cordell died Saturday. We don't know what information she has in the case.
http://www.wrcbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10461458

[Nut44x4]

http://helpfindthemissing.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2339&page=2

[Pauli]

Trainer Says Dog "Hit On" Toyota 4 Runner
Testimony Starts Aug. 17 In Case Of Missing Theresa Parker
posted July 14, 2009

A dog trainer who specializes in locating the bodies of missing persons testified that her dog Maggie "hit on" a Toyota 4 Runner.

Witnesses did not say if the vehicle belonged to former LaFayette Police Department Sgt. Sam Parker.

Lisa Higgins said the dog, that is trained to perk up at the scent of dead bodies, reacted to the front driver's seat and the rear passenger seat.

She testified at a hearing in LaFayette in the case in which Parker is charged with killing his former wife, Theresa Parker, whose body has never been found.

The case is set to go to trial in LaFayette on Aug. 17 using a jury from Bartow County.

Ms. Higgins said she and Maggie first searched a number of areas in Walker County without success. They included a pond near the Parker home and a logging area near Ridgeview Road.

She said the dog also scoped out the patrol cars of Parker and of Ben Chaffin, who is also charged in the case, though not with Ms. Parker's murder. There were no hits on those vehicles.

Ms. Higgins said the Toyota 4 Runner was in a line of other vehicles at the sheriff's department. The dog did not respond to the other vehicles.

Ms. Higgins said her dog had a number of prior successes, including locating a body that dated to the early 1700s and was adorned with jewelry and a body that was under a brick house.

Judge Jon "Bo" Wood also heard from a dog trainer from the United Kingdom, Martin Grime, who also was involved in the search for the body of Ms. Parker.

He said his dog Eddie hit on the carport of Parker's home, where his vehicle had been parked.

There was testimony on Monday about past domestic problems between the couple. The defense is trying to keep those from the jury.

Walker County Sheriff's Deputy Bruce Coker told of an incident in May 2002 when Ms. Parker told him her husband was drunk and threw her clothes into the yard. He said Ms. Parker had a mark on her face, but she claimed her husband had not hit her.

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_154847.asp

[Pauli]

Search dogs experts testify in Parker murder case hearings

Josh O'Bryant, Walker County Messenger

Motion hearings continued Tuesday morning in the Sam Parker murder case, as two search dog experts took to the stand.

The motion hearings, which began Monday, are taking place in Walker County Superior Court in downtown LaFayette, with Judge Jon “Bo” Wood presiding.

Parker’s murder trial is scheduled to begin Aug. 17 in Walker Superior Court. He was charged in February 2008 with murdering his wife, Theresa. He has been in jail since then.

Theresa Parker, a dispatcher with Walker County 911 and who lived on Cordell Road, has been missing since March 21, 2007. Her body has not been found.

Sam Parker was a sergeant with the LaFayette Police Department when she disappeared.

In Tuesday morning’s proceedings, Lisa Higgins of Louisiana was the first to testify.

Higgins retired from law enforcement after 30 years and continues to train search-and-rescue dogs.

According to testimony and court proceedings Tuesday morning:
Higgins brought her Australian shepherd named “Maggie” to search for Theresa Parker in April 2007.

Maggie has been a certified cadaver dog since 2003 and is trained in searching for decomposed remains.

Maggie lets her handlers know she has found decomposed remains by lying down near the scent.

On April 13, 2007, Higgins and Maggie came to Walker County to search for Theresa Parker.

Maggie searched Ridge Reed Road, a burnt vehicle, two patrol cars, and a pond near Cordell Road and found no substantial evidence.

While investigating vehicles in the impound behind the Walker County Sheriff’s Office, Maggie picked up a scent and sent an alert, by laying down, when she came across a Toyota Forerunner. Maggie had a change of behavior when she picked up a scent along the rear passenger’s side of the vehicle.

In response to questions from the defense, Higgins said the scent picked up by Maggie is not necessarily human remains.

http://www.northwestgeorgia.com/statenews/local_story_195115801.html?keyword=secondarystory

[sarahhod]

First day of Sam Parker murder trial gets under way in Walker County

http://assets.matchbin.com/secure/ed1731fda5300e91e1b0cd585beb9efd/4a89f00c/sites/274/assets/ParkerTrialDayOne.jpg (http://assets.matchbin.com/secure/ed1731fda5300e91e1b0cd585beb9efd/4a89f00c/sites/274/assets/ParkerTrialDayOne.jpg)
The prosecution team began trying their case Monday against Sam Parker for the murder of his wife, Theresa Parker, who has been missing since 2007.(Matt Ledger/CatWalkChatt)


http://matchbin-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/public/sites/274/assets/ParkerSam.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=0B7XE4Z9Y6MDGTWDRJG2&Expires=1250559268&Signature=wb8ocEB7lxpSz8nkpu2Qq5b2w4g%3D&x-s=274 (http://matchbin-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/public/sites/274/assets/ParkerSam.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=0B7XE4Z9Y6MDGTWDRJG2&Expires=1250559268&Signature=wb8ocEB7lxpSz8nkpu2Qq5b2w4g%3D&x-s=274)
Sam Parker

slideshow (http://matchbin-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/public/sites/274/assets/ParkerSam.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=0B7XE4Z9Y6MDGTWDRJG2&Expires=1250559268&Signature=wb8ocEB7lxpSz8nkpu2Qq5b2w4g%3D&x-s=274)


LaFAYETTE -- Defense attorney David Dunn told jurors Monday morning that the prosecution has "nothing" to convict accused murder Sam Parker.

Parker’s trial began this morning in Walker County Superior Court in downtown LaFayette. He is accused of murdering his wife, Theresa Parker, who has been missing since March 2007 and whose body has not been found.

“What have they found? Nothing,” Dunn said in opening arguments.

“You've heard it will take three weeks (for this trial). But if you look at the evidence, or lack there of, you could be out of here in three days,” Dunn said.

“Try this case fairly. Don't let the media and the circus outside distract you,” Dunn said.

The jury was picked last week from Bartow County. It is not being sequestered. They will be brought to the courthouse each day and return home each evening. The jury, including three alternates, consists of nine women and six men.

Today’s proceedings got underway at 9:30 a.m.

Parker, a sergeant with the LaFayette Police Department when his wife disappeared, was charged in February 2008 with her murder. Theresa, a dispatcher with Walker County 911, was in the process of divorcing Sam.

District attorney Leigh Patterson, in her opening statements, said, “Theresa Parker was much more than a few lines on a police report.”

Patterson said she will focus on those who knew and saw the couple shortly before Theresa disappeared. She said they will testify about Theresa’s view on her impending divorce and her fear of Sam.

http://romenews-tribune.com/pages/full_story/push?article-First+day+of+Sam+Parker+murder+trial+gets+under+wa y+in+Walker+County%20&id=3202717-First+day+of+Sam+Parker+murder+trial+gets+under+wa y+in+Walker+County&instance=home_news

[sarahhod]

Chaffin To Be Star Witness Against Sam Parker

Will Testify About Early-Morning Call About Murder Of Theresa Parker
posted August 17, 2009

Prosecutor Leigh Patterson told a jury on Monday morning that former LaFayette Police officer Ben Chaffin will testify about an early-morning call he got from former co-worker Sam Parker. She said the call will deal with the mysterious disappearance of Theresa Parker in March 2007.

Sam Parker, who was on the LaFayette Police force for 26 years, is standing trial for the murder of his estranged wife, though her body has never been found.

Ms. Patterson, who is the DA at Rome, Ga., said Parker was jealous of his wife, who had decided to divorce him and was in the process of moving out. She said Ms. Parker went to the Blackberry Lodge in the Smokies by herself for several days just prior to disappearing. She said Parker tried to find out if someone was with her, including calling the lodge to say he was a police officer investigating her.


She said Parker also got Chaffin to check Ms. Parker's computer to see if it revealed anything about the trip to the Smokies.

She said Ms. Parker decided during the trip to divorce her husband, and she had gotten a new residence in Fort Oglethorpe. She said the last time she was heard from she had gone to the couple's house on Cordell Road in LaFayette late on the night of March 21, 2007, to get another load to move. She said Sam Parker was supposed to be at his late father's house in Trion, but he actually was at the Cordell Road house.

She said a 911 dispatcher who worked with Ms. Parker got a call from her phone and asked two officers to go check on her. She said they could not get anyone to the door, but did see Sam Parker's truck and police cruiser there and Ms. Parker's 4Runner missing from the garage.

Public defender David Dunn said Chaffin agreed to testify after the prosecution "manipulated" him by charging him with several crimes. He said only last Thursday that Chaffin was granted immunity from prosecution based on his testimony at the trial.

Attorney Dunn said the prosecution is hanging its hopes on Chaffin and the fact that some blood was found on the rear of Ms. Parker's Toyota 4Runner intermingled with DNA from Sam Parker.

He said, "They don't know what happened to her - whether she is in Mexico, Gatlinburg or Florida."

He said the search for Ms. Parker "was the most massive in the history of North Georgia and probably the whole state of Georgia."

Ms. Patterson told the jury, "I feel confident I can carry the burden of proof in this case."

She said the 41-year-old Ms. Parker was "a daughter, a sister, a much-loved aunt to many nieces and nephews and a dear friend to many."

She said Sam Parker "deprived her of the new life she was trying to start."

The prosecutor said since her disappearance there has been no activity in her bank account or on her credit cards and she didn't pick up her last check. She also said her loved ones and friends have received no more calls from her.

Ms. Patterson said Ms. Parker was a quiet and private person, but she did tell some others of problems she had during her 13-year marriage. She said the couple was on-again, off-again, but Ms. Parker decided the previous fall to get a divorce. She said she held off because Mr. Parker's father was very ill at the time. She said Ms. Parker decided to proceed with the divorce after the father died in early 2007.

She said Ms. Parker made the trip to Gatlinburg March 14-16 to take time to decide about whether to proceed with leaving her husband.

She said Sam Parker thought she was seeing someone on the trip, "but she wasn't."

She said after Ms. Parker returned, she began to move out. She said she had bought a washer and dryer for the new place and had already moved some items.

Ms. Patterson said at that time Sam Parker "realized she's leaving. It was actually becoming real to him."

She said on March 21 when Ms. Parker was moving out that Sam Parker turned up at the house on Cordell Road. She said a neighbor, Cody Cordell, saw him when he cut their yard.

She said Parker went next door and had a conversation with Virginia Cordell. She said a deposition was taken from Ms. Cordell about that conversation because she was ill. She has since died, but the testimony will be presented to the jury.

Ms. Patterson said there was a call from Ms. Parker's cell phone to her 911 co-worker, Rhonda Knox, at 12:35 a.m., but no one was on the line.

The prosecutor said she believes that was about the time that Sam Parker was killing his wife. She said it likely occurred within that hour.

She said Sam Parker showed up at the residence of a female acquaintance, Christy Bellflower, at 1:40 a.m. and spent the night there until about 6 a.m. She said it was at 4:05 a.m. when he made a brief call to Ben Chaffin. She said there also were a couple more phone calls during the night from Sam Parker's phone.

She said Parker was supposed to meet his divorce attorney, Bill Slack, at 7:35 that morning, but he did not show up until 8 a.m. She said the two then went fishing all day. She said the attorney told of Sam Parker falling asleep in the fishing boat in the middle of the lake at Summerville.

The prosecutor said Ms. Knox asked officers Shane Green and Corey Griffin to check on Ms. Parker that morning because she was worried after the strange call. They first went to a house across the street, then were directed to the right house. That is when they could not get anyone to the door and saw that the Toyota 4Runner was missing.

Ms. Patterson said it was later found that the 4Runner had been cleaned by someone and that a floor mat was missing. She said two spots of blood were found on the rear of the vehicle, including one with her blood and the other with her blood and Sam Parker's DNA.

Attorney Dunn said Sam Parker had been a respected police officer for 26 years and before that was a Marine for six years. He said his father was a medic on the beaches of Normandy.

He said the government's case was mainly built around "trying to drag up mud and slime on Sam Parker."

Judge Jon "Bo" Wood is presiding over the trial, which is expected to last three weeks. The jury is being bused back and forth from Bartow County each day. Jurors are not sequestered, but Judge Wood told them not to have any contact with anyone involved with the case.

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_156944.asp

[sarahhod]

Parker Trial To Get Underway

By RomeNewswire (http://www.romenewswire.com/index.php/author/romenewswire/) • on August 17, 2009

Rome Circuit District Attorney Leigh Patterson will commence the murder trial of former Lafayette police officer Sam Parker today. Parker is accused of killing his wife, Theresa Parker, who went missing in March of 2007 and was never heard from again.

Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson says he expects as many as a hundred witnesses to be called for the prosecution.
Patterson took the case after the Lookout Mountain Circuit D.A. removed himself because of possible conflict of interest. A jury was chosen last week from Bartow County citizens and those jurors will be bused to and from Cartersville daily as opposed to being sequestered for the trial which is expected to last at least three weeks.
Parker is charged with murdering his wife Theresa, a dispatcher with Walker County 911 who has been missing since March 21, 2007. Her body has not been found. Sam Parker was an officer with the LaFayette Police Department when she disappeared.

http://www.romenewswire.com/index.php/2009/08/17/parker-trial-to-get-underway/

[sarahhod]

Neighbor Says Sam Parker Was Acting Normal Around Time Prosecutors Say He Killed His Wife

Neighbor In Fort Oglethorpe Saw Theresa Parker Pacing, Talking Loudly On Phone
posted August 17, 2009

A longtime neighbor of Sam Parker testified Monday that the one-time LaFayette Police sergeant was cutting up and acting normal around the time authorities say he killed his estranged wife, Walker County 911 dispatcher Theresa Parker.

Cody Cordell said Parker didn't seem upset that Ms. Parker was packing up and leaving. "He said he was being good about it."

The witness, who was 16 at the time and is now 18, said, "They wasn't throwing rocks or anything. They was being nice."

Parker is standing trial in LaFayette for the murder of Ms. Parker, who has not been seen since March 21, 2007.


Cody Cordell said a friend dropped him off at the Parker home on Cordell Road in LaFayette around 5:30 p.m. on March 21 to do yard work. He said Ms. Parker was moving out boxes, and Sam Parker was coming in and out of the house checking on the yard work.

He said of Ms. Parker, "I hugged her and told her I loved her." He said he had known the couple "since I was in diapers."

He said he stayed until 8:30 or 9 p.m., then Sam Parker took him to his grandmother's nearby.

He said he went back the next afternoon at 5 to mow the grass. He said Sam Parker was not there at first, but soon arrived.

The witness said Parker did not seem upset. "We cut up and played like we always did."

He said there was no sign that Parker had been drinking.

Richard Williams, a longtime friend of Sam Parker who is now with the Fort Oglethorpe Police Department, said he got a call from Parker on March 21, 2007.

He said they chatted for awhile, then Parker asked him if he could find out where his wife was moving in Fort Oglethorpe. He said he told him he was leaving for a few days, but would check at the water company on Monday.

He said Parker mentioned that his wife had recently gone off to a motel in Gatlinburg.

He said he could not tell if Parker was drinking, "but it seemed like his words may have been a little bit slurred. It seemed like he may have had a beer."

Officer Williams said during the conversation that Parker got another call. He said he came back on the line and said it had been his wife and he didn't want to talk to her so he hung up on her.

He said Parker told him that his father had recently died and left him some money and that Theresa wanted part of it.

The witness said when he returned from his trip he heard on the news that Theresa Parker had disappeared. "I turned white as a sheet," he said.

He said he went into the police station and his supervisor asked, "What's wrong? You're as white as a sheet."

Witnesses told of Theresa Parker on March 21, 2007, going to the Tennessee Valley Credit Union and withdrawing $750 to use for her new townhome off Lakeview Drive and then going to Lowe's to buy a washer and dryer.

The jury was shown video of her at both places.

Patrica Ann Brock, who lives on Flagstone Drive where Ms. Parker was planning to move in, said she was watching the 10 o'clock news on March 21, 2007, when she heard a noise outside.

She said she saw a woman who looked like Theresa Parker and was standing by a Toyota 4Runner like she owned.

She said the woman was talking in a loud voice on a cell phone while pacing back and forth between the SUV and porch.

She said she could not make out anything the woman was saying.

Georgia Highway Patrolman Eric Tallent, who formerly worked for the Walker County Sheriff's Office, said on the night of March 21, 2007, he went out to eat with LaFayette Police Officer Ben Chaffin, who is slated to be the state's star witness. Prosecutor Leigh Patterson said Chaffin will tell about a phone call he got from Sam Parker early in the morning of March 22, 2007.

Patrolman Tallent said he and Chaffin drove to Bud's Sports Bar on Brainerd Road in Chattanooga, had 20 hot wings each, then drove back. He said Chaffin came into his house to watch The Sopranos for a short time, then left.

The witness said he realized he had left some keys in Chaffin's car. He said he drove over to Chaffin's house shortly after midnight and retrieved the keys.

He said the next night he stopped by the LaFayette Police Department and Chaffin came in. He said it was around 2:30 a.m. and Chaffin was off duty, but he said he "couldn't sleep."

The witness said Chaffin "was kind of quiet. He didn't look like his normal self."

LaFayette Police Lt. Kenny Carreathers said Sam Parker put a poster of a battered woman up on the door of his office. He said he thought it was in poor taste and he took it down. He said he was told that Parker didn't appreciate him removing it.

He also said that Parker posted a receipt from Ms. Parker's visit to the Gatlinburg motel at police headquarters.

He said Parker told of coming into some money and planning to give $10,000 of it to Theresa.

Lt. Carreathers said Parker told him his wife had been missing for several days and he said he was considering filing a missing person's report. He said he advised him to do so.

The witness said Parker referred to his wife as "the bitch."

LaFayette Police Sgt. Randy Hicks said Parker highlighted a section on the motel receipt that said there were two guests. He said Parker wrote on the receipt, "It's not been two weeks since my dad died and she did this."

Prosecutor Patterson maintained that Ms. Parker was by herself at the Blackberry Lodge and went there to contemplate moving out on her own.

A clerk from the Blackberry Lodge told of Ms. Parker arriving alone and picking up a key to a cabin. She also told of Sam Parker calling to try to find if she had been with anyone.Sgt. Hicks said Parker is "a funny person."

Sgt. Hicks was asked if officers sometimes joke about how they can hide a body. He said one officer (not Parker) said, "He could take a body and drop it. . ." He was cut off by an attorney's objection.

Prosecutor Patterson told the jury out of the presence of the jury about an incident when Sgt. Hicks and his wife went to the Parker home for dinner. She said Mrs. Hicks and Sam Parker got into a spirited argument about religion, and Parker maintained there is no heaven.

The prosecutor said Parker then tossed a cup of water on Mrs. Hicks, saying, "Here's your holy water." She said both the women started crying, and Theresa Parker said, "This is why we can't have anybody over."

Judge Jon "Bo" Wood did not allow the testimony.

Jerry Holder, who at one time worked with Ms. Parker at the 911 Center, said he got a call from her just before she disappeared asking if he would help her move.

He said he was sorry, but he was going out of town that weekend.

The witness said, "She said she and Sam were going to get a divorce. She said they had agreed to it and everything was OK. The way she talked everything was OK."

An employee of the Fort Oglethorpe Water Company said he got a call from Theresa Parker just before 5 p.m. saying her water was not on at the new place.

He said he and another workmen drove to her residence. He said they saw that the meter was on, then they turned on a cutoff valve and got her water running.

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_156993.asp

[sarahhod]

Monday, Aug. 17, 2009

Chaffin will testify against Sam Parker

By: Chloé Morrison (http://www.timesfreepress.com/staff/chloe-morrison/)


LaFAYETTE, Ga. — Former LaFayette police officer Harbin “Ben” Chaffin has been given immunity from prosecution and will testify against his one-time co-worker Sam Parker.
That statement by District Attorney Leigh Patterson came in her opening statement in Mr. Parker’s trial on charges of murdering his wife, Theresa Parker, in 2007.
Mr. Parker’s attorney, Public Defender David Dunn, said in his opening statement that there’s no evidence Mr. Parker committed a crime.
The Walker County 911 dispatch operator was last seen on March 21, 2007. Despite massive searches, her body has never been found.
Mr. Parker also faces three other felony charges.
Mr. Chaffin also was charged with three felonies, including one alleging he helped Mr. Parker break into Mrs. Parker’s e-mail.
A jury of nine women and six men that was chosen last week in Bartow County began hearing the case this morning in Walker County Superior Court.
Mr. Dunn said in his opening statement that his client has been presumed guilty when he must be presumed innocent.
He said that although he cannot know what happened to Mrs. Parker — maybe she's in Mexico or Gatlinburg or Florida — it is the jury's obligation to find him not guilty because there is no evidence to prove the contrary.
Ms. Patterson outlined the evidence her team has gathered, creating a time line for what happened the night Mrs. Parker disappeared. She said she plans to call many witnesses, play phone calls, show a video deposition and present forensic evidence that proves Mr. Parker killed his wife.

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2009/aug/17/chaffin-will-testify-against-sam-parker/?breakingnews

[sarahhod]

Published: August 18, 2009 02:28 pm http://grouptivityread.appspot.com/image?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.northwestgeorgia.com%2F statenews%2Flocal_story_230115653.html&pId=lddglP9kZt4%3D&title=The%20Daily%20Citizen%2C%20Dalton%2C%20GA%20-%20Sam%20Parker%20murder%20trial%3A%20Ex-cop%20says%20Parker%20admitted%20killing%20wife

Sam Parker murder trial: Ex-cop says Parker admitted killing wife

Josh O'Bryant, Walker County Messenger


A former policeman testified this morning that Sam Parker told him he shot his wife and buried her.

Ben Chaffin, who worked with Parker, said Sam told him in a phone call, “I really did it this time” and that he had shot Theresa Parker through the head.

Sam Parker’s trial began Monday in Walker County Superior Court in downtown LaFayette before Judge Jon “Bo” Wood. It is expected to last three weeks.

Parker is accused of killing his wife, Theresa, who has been missing since March 21, 2007, and whose body has not been found.

The phone call occurred about that time, Chaffin said.

The couple were in the process of getting a divorce and were not living together. At the time Sam was a sergeant with the LaFayette Police Department.

The jury, consisting of nine women and six men (including three alternates), was picked last week from Bartow County. It is not being sequestered. The jurors are being bused daily to and from Bartow.

In early April 2007, Chaffin, a corporal with the LaFayette Police Department and a good friend of Sam, was arrested for making false statements to investigators in the Parker case.

In late July 2007, Chaffin was charged with tampering with evidence, violation of oath by public officer, and computer invasion of privacy. He was released out of jail on bond.

Chaffin has been given immunity for his testimony.

Chaffin said Sam told him he buried her in a “place that no one can find.”

“He said that if I told anybody, he would kill me,” Chaffin said.

Chaffin said the phone call ended but Sam called back and threatened him again — if he “told anybody, he would kill me.”

Chaffin said he cut off the phone, threw it across the bed, and he was crying and scared.

Chaffin said he did not contact anyone about the call and that he feared Sam.

Chaffin said he did not recall the next day his conversation with Sam. When he saw Sam at work, he did not recollect the conversation, nor did he until he was questioned by an investigator.

The court adjourned for lunch. Chaffin returned to the stand after the recess.

http://www.northwestgeorgia.com/statenews/local_story_230115653.html

[sarahhod]

Published: August 19, 2009 03:26 pm http://grouptivityread.appspot.com/image?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.northwestgeorgia.com%2F statenews%2Flocal_story_231131351.html&pId=lddglP9kZt4%3D&title=The%20Daily%20Citizen%2C%20Dalton%2C%20GA%20-%20Former%20Walker%20County%20deputy%20takes%20the %20stand%20in%20Sam%20Parker%20murder%20trial

Former Walker County deputy takes the stand in Sam Parker murder trial

Josh O'Bryant, Walker County Messenger

The prosecution in the Sam Parker murder trial this morning questioned former Walker County Sheriff’s Office road deputy Shane Green about phone calls between he and Theresa Parker.

Green, who was one of the first law enforcement on the scene at the Parker residence after Theresa’s disappearance on March 21, 2007, testified he had several phone calls with Theresa before and after her trip to Gatlinburg, Tenn. a few days earlier.

Green said they discussed his then-girlfriend’s upcoming birthday, which occurred during the weekend Theresa was in Gatlinburg.

Green said he met with Theresa after leaving the girlfriend’s residence on Shallowford Road in Chattanooga, Tenn., while Theresa was heading north on I-75. They met at a truck stop and chatted for about 20 minutes, he said.

Green said they discussed his girlfriend's birthday and Theresa's plan to get away for a few days and go shopping.

Asked if he went to Gatlinburg with Theresa, Green said “no.”

Green said that before Theresa left, she invited several people — including him — from 911 dispatch to go to Gatlinburg with her. Green said he did not go.

Green said that on April 12, 2007, he talked by phone with Sam Parker, who sounded upset and slurred. He said he asked him, “Do you love her?” “Where are you?” and “Where do you work?”

Green said Sam Parker told him to “lawyer up” and “to come clean.”

___



After a short mid-morning recess, Green re-took the stand with questioning from public defender David Dunn.

Dunn asked him how phone calls are recorded into the 911 dispatch system.

He asked Green if all communications at 911 are recorded and placed on a disc and Green said, “Yes, sir.”

Dunn said that now police officers have cell phones and that, when a 911 dispatcher calls from his or her independent cell phone to an officer’s cell phone, that conversation is unable to be recorded into the system.

Green agreed.

Green said he had frequent conversations with 911 dispatchers.

Dunn asked, “Why use a cell phone?”

Green said that due to his moving back to Georgia from south Florida, he called his phone company to change his prefix, but was given a long-distance prefix from Benton, Tenn., and that everyone who would call him on a landline would be calling long distance, including his own mother.

Green said that is why the employees at the 911 dispatch would call him on their cell phones.

Dunn asked Green if the phone conversations on March 22, during the welfare check of the Parker residence, were recorded and Green said, “No, sir.”

“As far as the police knew, you were on patrol,” Dunn asked.

Green said, “Yes, sir.”

“So, they had no way to tell where you were?” Dunn asked, and Green said, “Yes, sir.”

Dunn pointed out that Green’s mileage log posted around 300 miles for the time between March 21 and 22 and that was unusually high and double the amount, compared to the earlier part of the month, and that Green filled his patrol unit up with gasoline twice on that shift.

Dunn asked Green if he made a report on the “welfare check” conducted at the Parker residence around 7 a.m. on March 22 and Green said that he did not. Dunn pointed out that Green finally made the report after the investigation was started into Theresa’s disappearance and when the GBI was involved.

Dunn then began to question whom Green had cell phone conversations with at the dispatch, before Theresa went missing.

“Would you argue that there is not a single one (that you called that worked at dispatch, other than Theresa?) Do you agree,” Dunn asked.

“I would agree,” Green said.

Dunn then began to question the numerous calls, back and forth, between Green and Theresa, including a 91-minute call between the two while she was heading to Gatlinburg.

“On Thursday, she is calling you a bunch,” Dunn asked, and Green said, “Yes, sir.”

Green said he spent that Thursday and Friday shopping for birthday gifts for his then-girlfriend.

Dunn pointed out that Green called in sick on Friday, March 15, and that Green had a long phone conversation with Theresa on Sunday, March 17.

“Did you know Sam had been aware of the two-guest reservation (at this time),” Dunn asked, and Green said, “It is possible.”

“Would you say that this is what that call was about,” Dunn asked, and Green said he and Theresa talked about many different things and that could have been one of them.

Dunn then pointed out that on March 20 Theresa had called Green repeatedly to no avail and that Rhonda Knox had once told authorities that Theresa had been upset about that.

Dunn asked Green, “Did you know Theresa was upset that she had called repeatedly, to you not answering,” and Green said, “No, sir.”

“After March 19, you never called Theresa Parker ever again, did you?” Dunn asked, and Green said, “Yes, sir.”

Green changed the location where he and Theresa had met on her way to Gatlinburg and said that it was at a rest stop with many truckers, instead of a truck stop, due to Dunn pointing out that there was no truck stop in the vicinity that Green had described.

Dunn then began to question Theresa’s invitation to Gatlinburg, and Green said, “She asked everyone (to go).”

“Are you saying that Theresa didn’t ask you to go to Gatlinburg (during the rest stop conversation),” Dunn asked, and Green said, “I don’t recall her (doing so).”

Dunn then began to question Green about a transcript that was made by investigators on Green in April 2007.

Dunn pointed out that Green said in the transcript that Theresa would reserve guests for two if he changed his mind about joining her in Gatlinburg.

“Did she ask you at the truck stop?” Dunn asked, and Green said, “Yes, she was reiterating (her previous invitation to everyone she had asked).”

Dunn said that in the transcript Green said that his accidental meeting with Theresa on her way back from Gatlinburg on Rossville Boulevard was actually a week and a half before her trip to Gatlinburg and not the day she was looking for a new apartment, as was in the report.

“You told the GBI that that meeting happened a week and a half before she left for Gatlinburg,” Dunn said.

“I don’t recall saying that,” Green said.

The court adjourned for lunch.

http://www.northwestgeorgia.com/statenews/local_story_231131351.html

[Nut44x4]

Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee)

August 25, 2009 Tuesday
Parker murder trial begins second week

LaFAYETTE, Ga. -- A couple days after Theresa Parker disappeared, her husband told investigators she was mentally unstable.

"I don't have the first idea why she snapped like she did," Sam Parker said in a recorded interview with GBI investigator James Harris. "She's having a nervous breakdown."

Mr. Parker, a former LaFayette police officer, is charged with murdering Mrs. Parker a couple days before the two were scheduled to settle the details of their divorce. Mrs. Parker was last heard from a little before midnight on March 21, 2007.

Mr. Parker has pleaded not guilty.

For much of the day Monday, 15 jurors listened to the interviews that investigators conducted with Mr. Parker in the days after his wife's disappearance.

"I'm absolutely at a loss for ideas," Mr. Parker told investigators, according to tapes played in court. "I absolutely don't know what's happened to her."

Mr. Harris said there were inconsistencies between Mr. Parker's story and information gathered from others by investigators.

Mr. Parker said the last time he saw was his wife was the evening of March 21, when she was loading her car, preparing to move out of the couple's home. He said that, about 10 p.m., he got a call from a female friend, Christy Bellflower, and went to her house a bit before midnight.

But Ms. Bellflower testified last week that Mr. Parker didn't get to her house until about 2 a.m. on March 22.

After leaving Ms. Bellflower's house about 6 a.m., Mr. Parker said he drove his truck to his father's house in Trion, Ga., before going back to his house in LaFayette for a few minutes to prepare for a fishing trip. He said he was at his LaFayette house from about 7:30 until 7:45 a.m. and saw his wife's 4Runner at the home and assumed she was in her room sleeping. He said her keys were at the home that morning, but not later that afternoon when he came back home after fishing.

On the tapes played in court, Mr. Harris asked Mr. Parker many times if he drove his truck to all the locations he described and he repeatedly said "yes."

But two Walker County deputies testified last week that, when they went looking for Mrs. Parker at the LaFayette residence aabout 6:30 a.m. on March 22, Mr. Parker's truck and police car were at the house, but Mrs. Parker's vehicle was not.
http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/EndUser?Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=574&topicId=100020825&docId=l:1028366113&start=4

[nanabillie]

http://www.macon.com/220/story/831954.html
Thursday, Sep. 03, 2009

Husband of missing Ga. dispatcher found guilty


Friday, Sep 4, 2009
Posted on Thu, Sep. 03, 2009


A former LaFayette police officer who was charged with murder after his estranged wife disappeared in 2007 was found guilty Thursday and sentenced to life in prison.

Sam Parker was also found guilty on a charge of making false statements and violating his oath as a public officer.

His wife, former 911 dispatch operator Theresa Parker, was last seen leaving her sister's home on the night of March 21, 2007. Her body has never been found.

Theresa Parker's family wept softly in their seats but the courtroom was otherwise silent as the verdict was read.

The jury of six men and six women deliberated for three days. They found Parker was innocent of a charge of computer invasion of privacy.

Walker County Superior Court Judge Jon "Bo" Wood said Parker would spend the rest of his life in prison on the murder charge and five years on the other two charges.

He gave the defendant a chance to speak before the sentence was handed down, but Parker said he did not want to say anything.

The couple was in the midst of getting a divorce when the woman disappeared and family members said they had a history of domestic problems.

Sam Parker was fired from the LaFayette Police Department a couple of months after the disappearance for having explosives in his locker at work. He had been with the department about 25 years.

Prosecutors built their case around circumstantial evidence, developing a timeline showing how Parker could have committed the crime and disposed of the body.

[Nut44x4]

48 Hours Mystery to Examine Theresa Parker Case

For years folks in our community have wondered what really happened to Theresa Parker....

The Walker County 911 dispatcher disappeared three years ago.

Her police officer husband was eventually convicted of her murder last year...but a body was never found.

Well now CBS news magazine 48 Hours Mystery is asking the questions.

Susie's Sunshine Café is the lunch hotspot in LaFayette and the Theresa Parker was once again the lunch time buzz...

Clinton Chapman is grabbing lunch with his father and grandfather, "You couldn't have a murder with out a body. You know, that's what I though the justice system was all about, you had to prove it...and they didn't."

The 911 dispatcher disappeared the Spring of 2007.

Her police officer husband Sam was convicted in her murder last year... even though investigators have yet to find her remains.

Clinton never thought Sam Parker was guilty...

His grandfather Roger wasn't so sure... And says this weekend's 48 Hours Mysterys special might shed new light.

The Theresa Parker case made national headlines... And brought a lot of unwanted attention to LaFayette, Georgia.

Theresa's family refused to give up the search.

Folks in the community were sharply divided over whether her husband committed any crime.

Jackie Walker says, "Her family was coming in here during them looking for her and they just want their sister and their daughter. Somebody needs to tell where she is."

Most just want closure...

Billie Baker says, "They've found him guilty, but they still need to lay her to rest somehow."

Back at the Chapman's table Clinton says it's time for the story to go away...

Roger says the 48 Hours Mystery might help, "Folks are gonna talk about it until it's put to rest, and maybe this will get some closure for some folks."

The 48 Hours Mystery special featuring the Theresa Parker case airs Saturday night at 10:pm on WDEF News 12.

http://www.wdef.com/news/48_hours_mystery_to_examine_theresa_parker_case/01/2010