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Emotional start to trial of Parrish cousins Published: March 18, 2009 By Michael Copley A jury trial got underway this morning for two Powhatan men charged with murder, aggravated malicious wounding and attempted murder, in relation to a June 24, 2008 incident in Powhatan County. Cousins and codefendants Ethan Scott Parrish, 25, and Joseph Lee Parrish Jr., 18, pleaded not guilty to the charges against them, including first degree murder for the shooting death of Powhatan High School student Tahliek Taliaferro. Lawyers made opening statements this afternoon after four hours of jury selection and the Commonwealth called its first two witnesses, Lieutenant Detective Kevin Wolfe and Detective Jason Tackett, both of the Powhatan Sheriff’s Office. Jurors heard the detectives’ descriptions of the two crime scenes, one on Dorset Road and the other in the Loch Gate subdivision in Powhatan. Wolfe testified he retrieved six 7.62 round shell casings in a driveway on Dorset Road., a mile and a half south of Route 60. The shots were fired, according to testimony, by Ethan Parrish from a semiautomatic Mac 90, “a military style assault rifle,” according to the defense. Four of the shots struck the vehicle Taliaferro and three friends were riding in. Taliaferro was struck in the head and killed, and Courtney Jones, another passenger, was wounded by a shot to the lower back. All bullets entered through the back of the car. According to evidence, the shooting was precipitated by a verbal altercation between the Parrish cousins and Taliaferro and five of his friends, at the Sheetz in Powhatan. Taliaferro and his friends followed Ethan and Joey Parrish down Dorset Road after Joey Parrish gave Taliaferro a directive to follow them to finish the fight. Investigators found a pistol bb gun at Taliaferro’s feet at the Loch Gate crime scene and the defense is posturing to make a case for self defense. Baseball bats were also found in the victims’ cars. In addition to first degree murder, the cousins are charged with aggravated malicious wounding for the bullet that struck Courtney Jones, as well as two counts of attempted murder, for the shots fired at Lawrence Harris and Tommy Williams; all three were in the car with Taliaferro at the time he was shot. The trial resumes tomorrow morning at nine a.m.
Related Stories: • Family, friends of slain teen say justice was not served
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chesterfieldst of Chesterfielf
Mar. 19, 2009, 01:22 PM
The girl is getting off for working with police. It happens all the time. Now both sides had guns. One side had a BB but they can look real. I was not there but all the lawyer has to do is put reasonable doubt there. Look at the O.J. Simpson case. Quilty as hell but he got off because of good lawyers! Old Friend
Mar. 19, 2009, 01:14 PM
I feel that whatever happens is goin to happen weather we like it or not. So we just need to leave this to god and sooner or later this will all work out. powhatan native of powhatan
Mar. 19, 2009, 12:49 PM
i really want to know why stephanie isnt being held accountable for her actions. this isnt really making any sense to me. she drove knowing what was about to happen and in a statement she gave. she was given the opportunity to get out the vehicle and walk, but she continued to drive. this isnt fair. she is jus as liable as the boys are. there is a similar case like this in the city of richmond, with the young man being killed in bird park where the youn lady who drove was sentenced to 18yrs. if im not mistaken.so again what is the differenc between these two women. Alexander Supertramp of Society
Mar. 19, 2009, 12:36 PM
you know what is sad? all of you out there making an opinion of this situation and you have no idea absolutely NO IDEA what is going on with this case. No one but few people knows how this happened and I am sure it was not as graceful as everyone thinks it was. I mean…what do you think that Joey and his cousin was just sitting there and said hey…lets just shoot him…ugg NO! Thats not how it is. I don’t care who you are or what you say the Parrish family are good people! After seeing what I did yesterday, I really think it is sad the way people act. Tahliek was a loved young boy. He was a good person, no he did not deserve to die. But I don’t understand how Tahlieks friends and family can act the way they do…maybe we do not know what it is like to have someone taken away from us. But watching Tahlieks friends laugh in front of the court house…is unacceptable, the Parrish family I am sure is extremely upset that Tahliek lost his life. They never wished death upon him, and no one did I am sure…. I think that a lot of people are going to be upset of the outcome of this case. People know a lot of things about both of these young men and we all know they are not angles and we all know they are good people. I have heard people with my own ears say a lot of bad things about Tahliek, and the same with Joey. But I refuse to listen, I know both of them. And I know that no one deserved this, not Tahliek not Joey, not Ethan, and not Stephanie. Some people have a good head on there shoulders an some people like to think they have a better one…it will get you into trouble. But in the end it will all come out…and my love and preyers go to theTaliaferro family, I am sorry for your lose, grieve upon the future therefore you cannot grieve upon the past…you cannot change it. Tahliek is in a better place now. RIP. My love and preyers also go out to the Parrish family, I know it is hard seeing people treat you this way when they do not know…..Truth is a very simple thing people cannot seem to reach these days…...Good Luck to this county! p.town
Mar. 19, 2009, 10:07 AM
self defense…hahahah if they get self defense then there is something wrong with powhatan because tahliek did not come after any of them like some up to them face to face and touch them..iam not saying they deserve life in jail or anything like that i was a close friend to joey about 2 months before this happened he was a great person but he has changed alot but i do wish them the best but they dont deserve self defense they deserve some type of charges and stephain yeah she just turned into a little snitch and turned on them powhatan 3
Mar. 19, 2009, 10:04 AM
yeah she got off she testifed agaisnt joey and ethan yesterday. powhatan native of powhatan
Mar. 19, 2009, 01:22 AM
yes this is very sad. but i would like to know 1 thing what happend to stephanie reynolds. isnt she apart of this. please someone shed some light on her role in this because she was the driver, and the last time i checked that would b accessary to this crime. which means she is just as liable.so any1 out there please let us know, because it seems 2 me she has gotten off with the role she played in this crime. Lloyd Schieldge of Richmond
Mar. 18, 2009, 10:51 PM
Waht a Seemingly senseless waste of three young lives. - So sad. Submit Your Comments Below Commenting is not available in this weblog entry. |
