Parker v. State

George Rose Smith, Justice.

Willie Lee Parker, aged 59, was charged with second degree murder in the fatal shooting of Bubba McRae. The jury found Parker guilty of manslaughter, but were unable to agree upon the punishment. The trial judge, after considering a probation officer’s report, fixed the punishment at ten years, with five years suspended. Defense counsel now argues that the court erred in directing the probation officer to interview members of the jury, that the sentence is excessive, and that we should suspend the entire sentence. A new trial is not sought.

The circuit judge, in…