Teen Pleads Guilty in Gay Slay

A teenager who prosecutors say killed a gay black man in a rage when the victim threatened to reveal their sexual relationship pleaded guilty today to first-degree murder.

David Allen Parker, 18, was sentenced to life in prison with mercy, which means he will be eligible for parole in 15 years.

Parker, of Grant Town, had been scheduled to stand trial next week in the death of Arthur "J.R." Warren, a 26-year-old neighbor who was beaten, stomped, kicked with steel-toed boots, then run over four times with a Camaro.

Warren died of massive injuries July 4, 2000, in a gravel pullout alongside a road in Grant Town.

In exchange for Parker's plea, a second count of conspiracy to commit a felony was dismissed. That count carried a possible sentence of five years in prison.

Mercy for Testimony

Parker agreed to testify against Jared Wilson, whose trial is scheduled for Aug. 27 in Wheeling.

Parker and Wilson, both 17 at the time, were arrested the day of Warren's murder.

If convicted, Wilson, of Mannington, faces life in prison without parole.

Jason Shoemaker, Parker's 15-year-old cousin and a witness to the beating, reported the episode to his mother, who called police. Shoemaker was prosecuted as a juvenile for helping the older teens dispose of evidence after the murder.

Parker had been drinking beer, huffing gasoline and snorting tranquilizers the night of July 3-4. He was angry with Warren, who had apparently told others about their sexual relationship.

When Warren came to the vacant house that Parker and Wilson were painting, the boys took $20 from him, then began arguing over the sexual gossip.

In a statement to police, Wilson blamed Parker for initiating the attack and said he, too, would have been beaten if he hadn't taken part.

‘I Take Full Responsibility’

During the investigation, Parker told a psychologist that Warren had sexually abused him since he was 12. Parker said Warren gave him drugs and alcohol before most of the 30 encounters they had.