Columbia, SC (WLTX) - A federal jury in Columbia has convicted two men of being part of an illegal gambling ring in the Midlands, the second time the men have been found guilty of their role in the criminal operation.
Jurors returned the verdict against Jack Parker and Douglas Taylor after about an hour of deliberation Tuesday afternoon. Parker and Taylor were accused of violating a federal gambling statute for operating a sports betting business.
Jack Parker is also the father of Brett Parker, the man convicted of killing his wife, Tammy Parker, and his business partner, Bryan Capnerhurst, at an Irmo home back in 2012.
The relationships between the men on trial, along with Brett Parker and the victims, became central to the prosecutions' case, who needed to prove that five or more people were active and knowing participants in the operation. Prosecutors say all those people were part of the ring.
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. Prosecutors alleged that those layoff bookies could be considered a part of the operation.
During the two day trial, the U.S. Attorney brought forward 13 witnesses who all testified to seeing pieces of evidence of illegal gambling, whether as an investigator or as someone who would have knowledge of the activities of the group. Previous Coverage:Federal Gambling Trial Underway
On Tuesday, the jury heard from Jack Parker's stepson, Hayward Barnes, and Ben Staples, a man who said he had a romantic relationship with Tammy Parker and helped with her finances.
Barnes told the jury that he saw his stepdad taking bets. He also said that Capnerhurst was a sports bookie on the side.
Staples confirmed that prosecution exhibits of documents related to the ring had Tammy Parker's handwriting on them, and that he'd helped her prepare the families taxes and saw evidence of gambling.
Defense attorneys accused Staples of lying. They highlighted the fact that he is being sued by the U.S. Security Exchange Commission.
"This case is hard to prove because the government got it wrong," said Joshua Kendrick, Jack Parker's attorney. "The government is asking you to stretch the case."
Following the adjournment, Assistant United States Attorney Winston Holliday said he was pleased with what the jury decided.
"They were gone about an hour. They came back with the right verdict, there was I thought substantial evidence of the involvement of five people in this gambling organization, and they held Jack Parker and Doug Taylor accountable for doing that," Holliday told News 19. "It's been a long case. It's been going for three years or so and I hope people realize that the federal government will prosecute gambling cases."
Defense attorney Chris Leonard said he wishes his team could have convinced the jury of his clients' innocence.
"Clearly disappointed in the verdict today, still maintain Jack Parker and Doug Taylor's innocence, but the jury has spoken and we respect that decision," Leonard said with a sigh. "Obviously, we will continue to fight for our clients and hopefully justice will prevail.'
Jack Parker and Douglas Taylor convicted before, but a federal appeals court overturned that conviction because of prosecutor misconduct, sending his case back to district court.
The men will be sentenced at a later date.
