Defendant says he shot assailant in self-defense

3/26/2010

DeJuan Booker told a jury in Lucas County Common Pleas Court yesterday he pulled the trigger that ended Armond Parker's life.

Whether it was an act of anger at being robbed or an act of self-defense is up to the jury. The panel of seven men and five women will reconvene today to begin deliberations.

Judge Gary Cook is presiding over the trial.

Booker, 30, of 14 Southard Ave., is charged with one count of murder with a gun specification and one count of carrying a concealed weapon. Mr. Parker, 22, was slain May 1 during a late-night drug deal in South Toledo.

Booker testified during the fourth day of his trial that he was approached by three men while at a gas station and that he agreed to purchase drugs from them. Later, he testified, one robbed him with a gun, triggering the shooting.

"I was thinking they were going to kill me," he testified.

Several witnesses testified during the trial, including the two other men in the vehicle with Booker and Mr. Parker - Kevin Garrett, 22, and Markies Turner, 22.

Turner, who has since been convicted of aggravated robbery with a gun specification, said he initiated the robbery, but everyone was leaving when Booker came out shooting.

Turner is to be sentenced today by Judge Stacy Cook. He faces up to 13 years in prison.