Parker
COLUMBUS, Ind. — The 18-year-old accused of driving a vehicle from which another teen allegedly shot four people at Lincoln Park in Columbus on May 23 made an initial court appearance Friday.
Alexander I. Parker, 18, of 512 Pence St., Columbus, appeared wearing handcuffs and orange jail scrubs via Zoom video teleconference from the Bartholomew County Jail. Bartholomew Circuit Judge Kelly Benjamin entered initial not guilty pleas for Parker on four counts of Level 3 felony aiding, inducing or causing aggravated battery and a single count of assisting a criminal by driving a getaway vehicle.
Authorities said Parker drove a vehicle into the park with Edmarius Malik Oats, 18, of 3464 Old Field Lane, riding as a passenger. Oats is accused of opening fire on people playing basketball at the park, wounding Gavin Hardin, 18, Tyler Hamm, 23, and two juveniles, one 16 years old and one 17.
On Friday, Benjamin set Parker’s bond at $850,000 surety or $85,000 cash bond.
Parker largely answered yes or no to questions from Benjamin advising of his rights and whether he planned to hire counsel.
As Benjamin asked Parker about his ability to afford a lawyer, he initially said he didn’t work before saying he had been earning about $100 a week as a Doordash delivery driver.
Benjamin found Parker partially indigent and appointed Greg Long as his public defender.
For more on this story, see Saturday’s Republic.
