Cody Parker: Colorado man sentenced to 55 years in prison for fatally stabbing stepfather and mom while she ‘begged for mercy’
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
COLORADO, UNITED STATES: A 32-year-old man from Colorado has been sentenced to over 50 years in prison after confessing to the murder of his mother and stepfather.
Cody Lee Parker admitted to fatally stabbing both individuals inside their home two years ago.
Fourth Judicial District Court Judge Michael McHenry has ordered Parker to serve a 55-year sentence in a state correctional facility for the killings of Deborah Parker-Lykins and Duane Lykins.
What happened during sentence hearing?
Previously, Parker admitted to killing the couple and pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder. In return, prosecutors reduced the charges from first-degree to second-degree murder.
During the sentencing, Parker requested to take back his guilty plea. He wanted a trial to reveal the truth. The request was denied by Judge McHenry. The judge said Parker knew he couldn't change his mind about the plea deal.
Throughout the plea hearing, Parker expressed profound remorse for the killings but he kept reiterating his allegations that the victims abused him and his brother.
Cody Lee Parker admits to double murder
According to Law&Crime, officers from the Colorado Springs Police Department got a call around 7.20 pm on September 23, 2022, about a stabbing at a home on Dancing Horse Drive. Parker called and admitted to the double murder.
He told the dispatcher he had stabbed the victims and asked for help. When responders reached the house, they heard screaming. They went in and found Parker with a knife and the victims lying nearby.
The victims were taken to Penrose Main Hospital, where Parker's mother died on arrival, and his stepfather some time later.
Cody Parker describes how he killed his mother
Parker was arrested. He talked about his history of fights with his mother, saying they had a difficult relationship because she always verbally abused him. He mentioned a fight before the stabbing.
Cody said he was angry with both victims, so he went to the kitchen and took out a serrated knife.
Holding the knife in his right hand, Cody went to the living room where his mother was lying down and stabbed her two or three times.
The affidavit states that Cody's mother "was begging for mercy and asking for him to stop".
Cody couldn't explain how his stepfather was stabbed, but he saw him injured with many stab wounds. Daniel, Parker’s autistic brother, also saw what happened.
