A state appeals court panel affirmed a man’s conviction for strangling, stabbing and shooting his ex-girlfriend at a home in Pacoima before fleeing to Las Vegas.
The three-justice panel from California’s 2nd District Court of Appeal rejected the defense’s contention that there were errors in Michael Jerome Parks’ trial for the Sept. 7, 2016, killing of his girlfriend, G’Teasha Elayne Fisher.
He was convicted in June 2017 of first-degree murder, with jurors finding true allegations that he used a handgun and knife in the commission of the attack.
Parks — who had a string of convictions dating back to 1985 for crimes, including robbery and assault with a firearm — was sentenced in September 2017 to 113 years to life in state prison, with the judge indicating there was an “utter lack of remorse” by the defendant.
Parks shot and stabbed the 33-year-old woman after convincing her to meet him at his uncle’s home, Deputy District Attorney Ani Bailey said. The couple had recently broken up, according to trial testimony.
The victim suffered five sharp force injuries, strangulation injuries and a close-range gunshot wound to the head, the panel noted in its ruling.
After the killing, Parks fled to Las Vegas, where he was arrested by FBI agents at a cousin’s home.