Murder trial begins for man accused of killing 89-year-old woman

CROCKETT COUNTY, Tenn. — All eyes were on 31-year-old Daniel Parker as he sat Tuesday in a Crockett County courtroom.

Parker is indicted on charges of first-degree murder and murder in perpetration of a felony. The long-awaited trial is for a 2011 crime when 89-year-old Frances Lilley was killed inside her home.

“She was struck another time on the left side of her neck,” Assistant District Attorney Hillary Parham said during the Tuesday hearing. “That bullet severed her carotid artery, her esophagus, and lodged in her back. She fell to the floor, in the kitchen right near the entry to her living room, and died.”

After more than two years of investigation, TBI agents arrested Parker in September 2013. In her opening statement, Parham said Parker admitted to the crime.

“Sometime after the homicide of Mrs. Lilley, they’re at a bonfire at Mr. Parker’s residence, and he broke down, was emotional, and he said the words, ‘I shot that old lady,'” Parham said.

She also introduced evidence from the TBI related to the shooting.

“They examined the gun and they test-fired bullets from that gun, and it matched the bullet that was retrieved from Mrs. Lilley’s body,” Parham said.

Parker’s attorney emphasized the long history of owners of the .22-caliber pistol that killed Frances Lilley.

“Mr. Cathey, anxious and sweaty, sold the weapon to Ellis, who later sold the weapon to Daniel Parker,” said Daniel Taylor, Parker’s attorney.

The trial continues Wednesday at the Crockett County Courthouse where witnesses are taking the stand. Judge Clayburn Peeples said he expects it to be about a week before a verdict is reached.