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By Jessica Taloney Reporter
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Published: Tue, March 11, 2008 - 5:10 pm
Last Updated: Wed, March 12, 2008 - 10:32 am
Jessica Taloney
Parker, who was charged as an adult with 2nd degree assault, plead guilty Tuesday morning to punching a Murphy High School teacher in the face and knocking her to the ground. The attack was recorded by the school's security camera, which shows Melinda Rudisill, 61, falling to the ground.
Parker's plea came just minutes before his trial was set to begin.
"I apologize to Mrs. Rudisill for what I did," Parker told the judge.
The judge accepted the guilty plea and sentenced Parker to a ten year split term. Under Alabama law, the teen is required to serve 80% of his sentence. The judge ordered him to serve three years in a state prison and five years on formal probation.
Assistant District Attorney Caroline Siderius says Parker's sentence is exactly what she would have recommended if the jury found him guilty. "I hope this really does send a good message to students in Mobile County. You can not assault teachers," said Siderius.
Parker's attorney, Christine Hernandez, reluctantly talked to the media after the sentencing. Hernandez said there are no winners in this case because a teenager is going to prison.
"He's going to pay a hefty price for the mistakes he made, and the kids in schools today need to look at this an need to understand that choices matter," she said.
Another former Murphy High School student, Dominick Harris, who was 17 at the time of the attack, is also charged in the case, but he struck a deal with prosecutors last year in exchange for youthful offender status. Prosecutors say Harris recorded the assault on his cell phone. The teen is expected to be sentenced later this week, but that may change. According to Mobile police, Harris was arrested Tuesday on a reckless endangerment charge.
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Randolph Parker's attorney reacts to her client's sentence.
Assistant District Attorney Caroline Siderius reacts to the guilty plea and comments on the victim.
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And the family of the hooligan stormed out of the courtroom. Did they think this idiot should get away with assault? Where were his parents when he was growing up? Didn’t they teach him right from wrong? If nothing else, couldn’t they have at least taught him that he would have to answer for his actions! As far as him being charged as an adult, at least it takes him off the street so he can’t assult another innocent person.