Parker v. State

A jury found Rico Parker guilty of felony murder during commission of aggravated assault. He was also found guilty of a separate charge of possessing a firearm during the commission of a crime. He appeals from the judgments of conviction and sentences entered by the trial court on the jury’s guilty verdicts.1 1. The evidence most strongly supporting the verdicts is as follows: Parker and Emmanuel Alford fought at a Thanksgiving party. Afterwards, Parker told friends that “it wasn’t over,” and he threatened to kill Alford. During an encounter a few days later, the two exchanged words. At the time, Alford carried only a paint roller. Parker shot and killed Alford, and then fled to his mother’s residence where he was located five days after the homicide. At the time of his arrest, he claimed that he shot in self-defense. This evidence is sufficient to authorize a rational finder of fact to find Parker guilty of felony murder and the weapons offense beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia , 443 U. S. 307 99 SC 2781, 61 LE2d 560 1979.

2. The State filed a motion in limine to exclude Parker’s post-arrest statement unless he testified in his own defense. The trial court granted the motion, and he enumerates that evidentiary ruling as error.