subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Sat, May 17 2008 

Resources

print this story   Print this story
email this story   E-mail this story
  Post to del.icio.us

Photos


Surrounded by law enforcement, former Rogers State University student Tywone Dion Parks was escorted from Judge Joe Smith’s courtroom Thursday. Smith ruled there was sufficient evidence to warrant Parks going to trial.
PROGRESS PHOTO/Tom Fink /

Published May 09, 2008 03:48 pm -

Judge orders Parks to trial


By TOM FINK

The testimony of veteran Claremore law officers and former friends of Tywone Parks was enough to convince Judge Joe Smith Thursday that the former Rogers State University student should go to trial on a felony charge of planning an act of violence.

Parks, 24, is also charged with outraging public decency, a misdemeanor, following alleged events which led to his February 2008 arrest by Claremore Police.

Two former friends of Parks — Paula Blalock and Christina Shipman — testified that they had noticed Parks’ behavior to be “very odd” in the days before his arrest. At one point, Blalock testified Parks told her to “live every day like it’s your last.”

Shipman testified of finding a dog’s head on her front porch, an act which she said led her to suspect Parks and contact Claremore Police with her concerns.

Both had previously filed protective orders against Parks.

Investigator Charles Goad testified that he contacted Parks at his Claremore residence, and his observation of several “disturbing” messages written on the walls of Parks’ apartment, detailing thoughts of “choking the life out of Gaft” and “cutting off Paula’s head and sticking it in the freezer.”

Goad asked Parks if ‘Gaft’ and ‘Paula’ were real persons, which he testified Parks said they were. They later identified as Paula Blalock and Brandon Gaffney, both RSU students.

Goad testified he also observed blood on the rear bumper of Parks’ car, and he later learned of text messages Parks had sent to a fraternity member, requesting the help of disposal of a body “the size of a small boy.”

Investigator John Singer’s testimony detailed items recovered from Parks’ apartment through a search warrant, including several journals written by Parks, which made mention of an “RSU Massacre” and writings expressing Parks’ desires to have “sado-masochistic relations with a 12-year-old girl.”

Singer testified that Parks admitted to having had “homicidal thoughts since age 7,” and would sometimes “act out in aberrant ways to keep them under control.”

At the time of Parks’ detainment, he was sent to Grand Lake Mental Health for evaluation, later being released and arrested on the charges he now faces.

Parks’ attorney Jack Zanerhaft made frequent mention of his motion to “quash and dismiss” charges against Parks, as well as his “motion to suppress.”

Smith said he was taking both “under advisement.”

Zanerhaft questioned each witness about Parks’ mental health at the time surrounding his arrest, arguing the semantics of “thoughts” and “acts” differentiating felonious behaviors and imagination.

“This felony charge (against Parks) is based on an Oklahoma statute that is unconstitutional on its face, as to both the U.S. and state constitutions,” Zanerhaft said. “It is void because of its vagueness, a knee-jerk reaction by legislatures to prevent another Virginia Tech, and it violates the 1st and 14th Amendments.”



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.




monster
wheels
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premium Jobs

Custodial Immediate Openings
in Claremore, full time positions, competitive wages, clean background check, to schedule interview call Charlene at 800...>MORE

OUTDOOR FORKLIFT/BOBCAT OPERATOR
wanted for the Claremore/Tulsa area. Must have a valid Driver’s License, dependable transportation and pass a drug scre...>MORE

Want to make a Difference?
CARD Early Head Start is seeking early childhood professionals to work with families 0-3 years of age. Associate degree...>MORE

FULL TIME RECEPTIONIST ASSISTANT
needed in Catoosa Oklahoma Investment Company. Position includes: greeting clients, answering phones, typing letters and...>MORE

MANAGEMENT
NATIONAL CONTRACT Cleaning Firm is seeking an experienced manager for an immediate opening in Claremore. Supervisory ex...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Autos

Check Out Our New Auto Web Site!
Just go to the green menu bar at top of page and click on "Wheels". You will be amazed!!!...>MORE

For Sale 2004 Honda VTX 1300C
18,000 mi. Many extras, runs & sounds good.
Asking $5,800. 918-789-5222
...>MORE

1995 Ford F150 Pickup
Black. $1,500, priced for quick sale. Good Condition. Cool Air! 261-5008, 261-5732...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Homes

FOR SALE OR LEASE
4 Bedroom, 2 Bath Doublewide. 2,060 sq. ft., on 10 or 20 acres. Oologah Schools. 918-321-3177 or 918-638-5115...>MORE

423B East Patti Page Blvd
Spacious 1 Bedroom Duplex, convenient location
NO PETS/SMOKING
$520/month
918-640-1890
...>MORE

propertiesplus.com.
New Home in Willow Gorge! 4/2/2, Verdigris Schools! 25123 Shade Tree Place, golf course community near Hwy 66 and 266. $...>MORE

Offices or Warehouses For Rent
341-7027 or 625-9421....>MORE

4 Bedroom, 2 Bath, 2,300 sq. ft.,
2.5 acres. 3/4 mile North of Golf Course. 918-342-3479. Many upgrades, $192,500...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Extras

Looking For A Place In Country
Older couple wanting to rent a 2-3 bedroom place in country. We would like to have a few acres of wooded area. Good re...>MORE

Looking For A Responsible Teen
to come and play with 2 boys (12 & 6) during the summer. 3 days a week, noon to 4. Please call 342-0911 leave message....>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2008. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index

rc