Murder trial scheduled for former Franklin man

Published 10:59 am Friday, July 1, 2011

COURTLAND—A former Franklin man serving 23 years in prison his role in a 2009 murder will go to trial on Feb. 24 for the 2007 murder of a Southampton County man.

Eric Owen Parker, 21, is accused of shooting Courtney Blunt at Southampton Meadows Mobile Home Park on April 20, 2007, while trying to rob him.

Earlier this year, Parker was found guilty of aggravated malicious wounding in the death of Brandon Keith Turner, 20, on March 3, 2009. Parker is at Buckingham Correctional Facility in Dillwyn.

Parker’s half-brother, Troy Mayfield of Newsoms, was sentenced to life in prison for Turner’s death.

Parker had been charged with shooting Turner in the eye in 2008 in Courtland. It’s believed Mayfield shot Turner to keep him from testifying against Parker.