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Convicted killer Brett Parker, his dad and another man have been found guilty of bookmaking in South Carolina.
A federal jury in Columbia deliberated for five hours. Brett’s father, Jack, and Doug Taylor were found to have had an active role in running the massive illegal bookie business.
Brett Parker is already serving a life sentence for murdering his wife, Tammy Jo, and business partner, Bryan Capnerhurst.
Prosecutors had to prove that five people were part of the ring and that the business took in at least $2,000 per day or was in operation for 30 consecutive days.
"In a federal gambling case, it's not the gambling itself but the number of people that makes it federal," said Josh Kendrick, who represented Jack Parker. "So, where an operation where four people were involved would not be a violation of federal law, five people would."
Prosecutors also believed that Brett Parker’s deceased wife played an active role in the operation.
"We thought Tammy Parker's involvement, though much less involved, was sufficient," said Assistant US Attorney Winston Holliday. "Then evidence was developed on the laying off of bets and we thought the three names we put in front of the jury were very good. It's always hard to predict what a jury will do, but I would imagine and it would seem from questions, their decision was based on the lay off bet."
Jack Parker must forfeit $67,302.50. Initially he was being asked to forfeit his home as well, however, an agreement was reached allowing the elder Parker to keep the house.
- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com
