Man Found Guilty In Killing Of 2 In Hamden: Feds

HAMDEN, CT — A North Carolina man has been found guilty in connection with the killing of two men in Hamden, and later a third man in New Haven, more than seven years ago, according to officials.

Edward Michael Parks, also known as “Lee” and “Trouble,” 36, of Raleigh, North Carolina, was found guilty by a federal jury in Bridgeport of charges related to the kidnapping and murdering of two men in Hamden, and the killing of a third man in New Haven to stop him from notifying law enforcement, U.S. Attorney for Connecticut Vanessa Roberts Avery announced.

The trial before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley began on January 9. The jury returned verdicts Thursday of guilty on all counts of an indictment charging Parks with two counts of kidnapping resulting in death, and one count of witness tampering by killing.

Parks faces a mandatory term of life in prison, according to officials.

Authorities said that on Nov. 16, 2015, Parks was in an apartment on Shelton Avenue in New Haven to conduct an illegal sale of firearms. Damian Connor and Tamar Lawrence were also present in the apartment.

“When another individual left the apartment with firearms that he had not paid for, Parks, who was armed, held Connor and Lawrence against their will,” officials wrote in a news release. “Parks collected money and valuables from Connor and Lawrence, and then forced them to travel in Connor’s car to Hamden where Connor said he could get more money. They were followed in another vehicle by Devante Williams and another individual. After the vehicles arrived at 676 Mix Avenue in Hamden, Parks shot and killed Connor and Lawrence. Parks then left the scene with Williams and others in the second vehicle and returned to New Haven.

“When Parks appeared to believe that Williams was anxious about the murders of Connor and Lawrence, Parks shot and killed Williams in the area of Sherman Court in New Haven.”

Connor was 23 years old and Lawrence was 19.

“I hope this verdict gives the families of these victims some sense of peace and closure,” Hamden Police Acting Chief Timothy F. Wydra said. “I would also like to thank and commend Hamden Sergeant Jomo Crawford, New Haven Assistant Chief Bertram Ettienne, the FBI Safe Street Violent Task Force, the Offices of the U.S. Attorney, New Haven State’s Attorney Office including now Chief State’s Attorney Pat Griffin and current New Haven State’s Attorney Jack Doyle, Raleigh, North Carolina Detective I.O. Smith, and so many other Law Enforcement partners who assisted. I would also like to thank the Hamden and New Haven communities who worked with law enforcement to provide valuable information pertaining to these three homicides.

“This case demonstrated that by successful collaboration at the highest level and working together we were able to get a violent individual off the streets.”

Parks has been incarcerated in federal custody following an unrelated conviction for drug and firearm offenses in the Eastern District of North Carolina, according to officials.

“I thank our partners in the FBI, Hamden Police Department, New Haven Police Department and New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office for their collaborative efforts in bringing a person responsible for three cold-blooded killings to justice,” Avery said. “The Justice Department has prioritized the disruption of illegal gun trafficking across the United States, and this prosecution serves as yet another reminder of the scourge of illegal guns and violence in our communities. The victims of this heinous crime, and their loved ones, are in my thoughts.”