Fulton County prosecutors said an apparent jealous rage led Danielle Parker to shoot and kill her ex-girlfriend, an East Point police officer, over the Fourth of July weekend.
At a preliminary hearing today, Fulton Judge Karen Smith Woodson found probable cause on counts of malice murder, felony murder, felony assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony against Danielle Parker, charged with killing Crystal Parker, a decorated East Point corporal who Officer of the Year for 2010-2012. A bond hearing is set for Aug. 7.
Danielle Parker, who sat in during today's preliminary hearing wearing a blue Fulton County jail jumpsuit and shackled at the wrists and waist, is accused of killing East Point Cpl. Crystal Parker during the early morning hours of July 4; Crystal Park's body was discovered July 7. Danielle Parker was arrested and charged with the killing on July 9. Her defense attorney is Stanley Constant.
As the Atlanta Pride Committee puts the finishing touches on the main event, set for Oct. 13-14 in Piedmont Park, there are plenty of official opportunities to celebrate in the week leading up to the festival. The annual AIDS Vigil and Commitment Ceremony are two traditions sure to draw throngs, while an expanded schedule of lead-up nightlife events helps raise funds.
“We’re working fast and furiously to make sure all of the logistical elements are in place, from fencing to port-potties, signage to t-shirts. You know, the really sexy part of running a festival!” jokes Buck Cooke, Atlanta Pride’s managing director.
Atlanta Pride, the Southeast’s largest LGBT event, brings entertainers, vendors, nonprofits and thousands of LGBT people and allies to Piedmont Park for two days of entertainment and empowerment.
When Atlanta Pride announced yesterday that this year’s festival will be held Oct. 8-9, several community members were quick to point out the scheduling conflict with the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur.
“When I first heard the news, I was terribly disappointed,” Rabbi Josh Lesser of Congregation Bet Haverim said in a phone interview. “Yom Kippur is the most holy day of the year.”
Lesser said that James Parker Sheffield, executive director of the Atlanta Pride Committee, has reached out to Atlanta's LGBT Jewish community and will work toward providing Jewish-specific events that recognize the community at this year's Pride.