Fate Of Tarpon Springs Cop Killer In Hands of Jury

TARPON SPRINGS, FL – A Pinellas County jury is now considering whether a convicted cop killer deserves the death penalty or life in prison.

According to News Channel 8, a tearful 27-year-old Marco Parilla took the stand Thursday, March 22, and apologized to the wife and six children of Tarpon Springs Police Officer Charles Kondek who he gunned down in 2014.

According to Tarpon Springs Police reports, Kondek, a 17-year veteran with the department, was responding to a noise complaint around 2 a.m. on Dec. 21, 2014, when he encountered Parilla, who was on probation. Parilla pleaded guilty in October to firing several shots at Kondek using a stolen .40-caliber gun.

A bullet struck Kondek in the neck above his bulletproof vest, killing him.

News Channel 8 reported that Parilla told jurors his bad childhood and his parents’ failures were responsible for his actions.

The 12 jurors must reach a unanimous verdict on whether to give Parilla the death sentence or life in prison.

To read more, visit the News Channel 8 website.

Images via Pinellas County Sheriff's Office