Columbia, SC (WLTX) -- The first day of the gambling trial for Jack Parker and his business partner Douglas Taylor wrapped up early Monday evening.
Parker is the father of Brett Parker, who was convicted of double murder in 2013. Brett Parker killed his wife, Tammy Parker, and his gambling partner, Bryan Capnerhurst at the Parkers' home near Irmo.
Previous Coverage: Brett Parker Gets Life in Prison
The father and son faced federal gambling charges back in 2013. Jack Parker was originally convicted, but a federal appeals court overturned that conviction because of prosecutor misconduct, sending his case back to district court.
Parker and Taylor are accused of violating a federal gambling statute for operating a sports betting business.
The government must prove:
- There was a gambling business
- The business included 5 or more people whom knowingly and willingly directed, operated, conducted, managed or supervised business
- The business was either in substantially continuous operation for more than 30 days or has a gross income of $2000 on a single day
Federal prosecutors said they were focusing their case against Parker and Taylor on events that happened between February-April of 2012.
The United States attorneys say they can prove five people--Tammy Parker, Capnerhurst, Brett Parker, Jack Parker and DouglasTaylor--were all involved in the business.
Jurors heard from ten witnesses Monday including former clients, a former accountant and another sports bookmaker. They told of their involvement with the five listed above.
Federal prosecutors also used gambling sheets with names and bets, checks, and envelopes as evidence during the case, and showed pictures of desks that they say were the gambling business was conducted.
The defense often pointed out that the exact dates were not known on some of the bets and dealings with Parker or Taylor. They also tried to show that some witnesses changed their testimony from previous proceedings.
The prosecutors also tried to prove that the operation had to layoff bets from time to time, meaning the operation had to place bets of their own with other bookies in order to make sure they had enough money to pay winners.
Defense attorneys claimed that Jack Parker was a small time bookie who paid taxes on his money and should not be facing federal charges. Taylor's lawyer said Taylor only answered phones for Parker and advised the jurors to be skeptical of the government.
The trial will resume Tuesday morning. Jurors are expected to hear from three more witnesses and hear closing arguments, with the trial going to the jury by Wednesday at the latest.
