Former Jonesville Police Chief David Parker pleaded pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter pursuant to the Alford case Tuesday in relation to a crash that killed an eight-year old girl three years ago.
Parker was sentenced to one year of house arrest with electronic monitoring and four years probation. He will also have to perform 120 hours of community service. An Alford plea allows a person to plead guilty to a charge while maintaining their innocence.
“Even though David Parker made this plea today, he continues to steadfastly maintain his innocence as he has done from the moment this terrible accident took place," said his attorney, John Hawkins. "David Parker again expresses his utmost sincere sympathy to the family of Peechis Moore.”
After originally being charged with reckless homicide, Parker pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter which carries a maximum of five years in prison.
In July 2006, Parker was driving his personal truck on White Plains Road in Cherokee County when he ran off the road and hit Peechis Moore, 8. The girl lived nearby and was waiting to cross the road to join her sister and babysitter who had already crossed to the other side. Parker was indicted in January 2007 and resigned his position as police chief.
Peechis Moore's father, Robert Moore, was not happy with the sentence handed down by Judge Roger Couch.
"He broke the law," said Moore "but because he carried a badge, he just gets to walk away. He gets to go home to his kids. I can only pray to my baby."
Parker said very little in court, stating that there is nothing he could say that would change his reason for being there. His attorney and his wife told the judge that he is heartbroken over the incident and relives the moment of the crash every day of his life.
"He has received a life sentence in dealing with this tragedy," Amanda Parker told the judge.
definitions.uslegal.com has this definition of an Alford plea:
In an Alford Plea, the criminal defendant does not admit the act, but admits that the prosecution could likely prove the charge. The court will pronounce the defendant guilty. The defendant may plead guilty yet not admit all the facts that comprise the crime. An Alford plea allows defendant to plead guilty even while unable or unwilling to admit guilt. One example is a situation where the defendant has no recollection of the pertinent events due to intoxication or amnesia. A defendant making an Alford plea maintains his innocence of the offense charged. One reason for making such a plea may be to avoid being convicted on a more serious charge. Acceptance of an Alford plea is in the court's discretion.
Reporting by Chris Cato
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