Parker's Arraignment in Barnstable District Court

As previously mentioned....today, May 9, 2007, was Christopher G. Parker's arraignment on charges of homicide by motor vehicle due to negligence and driving on a revoked license in connection with Diane's death.

As I got into my car this morning to drive to the Barnstable District Courthouse I wondered if Parker would look different after spending 10 days behind bars. I was surprised at the amount of fog on the roads at 8:00am since the weather was supposed to be clear with temps in the low 80s. As I crossed the Bourne Bridge onto Cape Cod the fog was so thick that I could not make out the top of the bridge. By the time I had driven the couple of miles along the Canal to Route 6 the sun was out in all it's glory and the Sagamore bridge sparkled in the sunlight.

I arrived at the courthouse by 8:55am and met up with my two of my Mother's brothers, my Uncles Philip and Bob Kelsey. As we waited for the first call to go into the courtroom we also briefly spoke to Cape Cod Times reporter George Brennan.

At about 9:05am they called everyone into the First Session Courtroom. This was a very big courtroom with a large judge's desk on a raised platform and an equally large clerk's desk set in front of and below the Judge's platform. Facing those large desks were two tables, the right table for the District Attorney's Office and the left table for the defendant's lawyers use. To the left of the Judge was a bench against the wall and a podium-type desk for the bailiffs. To the right of the room was an area for the jury. There were about 8 rows of bench-like seating for the public and people who have business with the court. These benches were set facing the judge and had a walkway up the middle.

We were in for a fairly long wait as they first call all the cases that were going to be heard that day to see if the parties involved were present and then they held a number of arraignments. We saw two men who were in custody be brought in and told to sit on the bench along the left wall. Each of these men, who were handcuffed, were arraigned and then led out of the courtroom. We were waiting for Parker to be brought in next. It was now about 10:45am and I was a bit surprised when I saw the Judge get up and walk out a door that was behind his desk! They hadn't brought Parker in yet, where was he going??

Luckily Kathleen Finnegan, the victim/witness advocate assigned to our family by the D.A.'s office came to sit with us at that time to inform us that the judge was taking a short break and would be back fairly soon. She had us move toward the front of the rows of bench seats so we could hear and see better.

While we waited for the court to resume A.D.A. Brian Shea, who is prosecuting Parker's case, came over to answer a few questions we had. Finally the Judge came back into the courtroom and the baliffs then led four men in handcuffs into the room and the men were told to sit on the bench along the wall on the left of the room. The first man led to the bench was Parker. He, as were most of the men in lock-up, was dressed in issued dark blue work-type pants and a dark blue buttoned down shirt. His hands were handcuffed in front of him. I was a bit surprised to see that Parker's head had been shaved sometime after he had been incarcerated 10 days ago. He had the shortest of crew-cuts. I'm not sure if this is something they do as part of the intake process at the Barnstable County Jail or exactly why his hair was almost all shaved off, but it looked like a severe military cut.

When the Clerk finally called "Commonwealth vs. Christopher Parker" we saw Parker stand up, looking at the ground. The clerk read the charges that Parker faced, homicide by motor vehicle due to negligence and driving on a revoked license, and then entered a plea of not guilty on Parker's behalf. The Judge also mentioned that Parker had requested a court-appointed attorney and it had been approved. Woodrow "Woody" Brown has been assigned as Parker's public defender.

At that point the Judge asked A.D.A. Shea if the Commonwealth was requesting bail. Shea stood up and began giving an overview of the case against Parker. He gave a brief rundown on Parker's prior charges and convictions, including the multiple DWI and Assault and Battery convictions. Shea then went through the events leading up to and directly after the crash that led to Diane's death. When he was done, in closing, he requested $20,000 bail for Parker.

Next it was Atty. Brown's chance to speak on behalf of Parker (who was still standing, looking at the ground with his arms hanging loosely in front of him due to his wrists being handcuffed). Brown started by saying Parker was a man in his 50s who resides at 20 Jody Lane, Forestdale, MA. He stated that Parker lives with his wife and son and works as a painter. It seems that Parker served in the U.S. Coast Guard during the Vietnam War, receiving an honorable discharge. Brown stated that Parker and his family could only afford $1,000 for bail.

After hearing the arguments from both sides the Judge set Parker's bail at $10,000 cash or $100,000 surety. Parker continued to look down although his face had been slowly turning red during the time he was standing. The Judge appointed Judge Lynch to the case for trial, then next picked the date of June 4, 2007 for a Pre-Trial Hearing, and Parker's business before the court was finished for the day. Bob, Philip and I followed Kathleen Finnegan out to the courthouse lobby where we met A.D.A. Shea. We were pleased with the large bail which will hopefully keep Parker behind bars. The date for the Pre-Trial Hearing, June 4, will allow my brother Johnny to be able to make an appearance since he will be in Massachusetts for a few weeks in June, coming from his home in Arizona.

It was nice that my Uncles were able to take the time off from work today so that they could come to the courthouse today. It was their first time seeing Parker in person.

As far as I know the Cape Cod Times will be running a story about Parker's arraignment in tomorrow's Paper. I will post the story with a link to their site as I have done in the past, as soon as I see the article.

Thanks so much for the caring and support that we have received, both through this blog, neighbors and friends of Diane, and friends of our family. It really means a lot to us all!
((((((((HUGS))))))))