Spokane woman sentenced to 8 years for role in People's Park murder
Feb. 14—A judge sentenced a 21-year-old Spokane woman to eight years in prison Friday for her role in the death of Andy Hernandez, who was found bound and gagged to death in People's Park in 2022.
"You don't deserve pity," Andy's brother, Freddie Hernandez, said to Larren Parker. "You will always be a coward, just like your other two partners."
Parker was the third and last person to be sentenced for Andy Hernandez's killing. John Birgen, 28, and Randy Slone, 29, were both sentenced to over 30 years in prison for their roles in his death.
Slone told police at the time that all three were there as they tied Andy Hernandez's hands together and taped his mouth. They put him in the car, and Birgen drove to a dog park.
Slone told police Birgen used a large rock to hit Andy Hernandez in the head and grabbed the rope that was around Andy Hernandez's neck and pulled it, court documents say. Slone said Parker was in the car at the time of the murder.
Andy Hernandez, 51, died of blunt-force trauma and lack of oxygen, the Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office ruled. He had a broken neck, extensive injuries to his throat, including a broken bone, and severe blunt-force trauma to the back of his head. The motive for the killing, Slone said, was that Birgen alleged Hernandez raped someone, according to court records. Andy Hernandez's family has maintained this is false.
"You knew this was going to happen," Freddie Hernandez told Parker via Zoom. He said his brother "wasn't ready" to leave the world at the time of his death.
"I wish you all the worst," he added.
Parker's mother, Shannon Karlinsey, spoke in Friday's sentencing. She told the court that her daughter is a victim of trauma from a police raid and was diagnosed with PTSD at the age of 7. While in an out of juvenile detention, Karlinsey alleged her daughter was a victim of predatory adults. Parker cannot read or write, her defense attorney mentioned.
"She loves animals and rescues them," her mother said. "When she was arrested, she was at the maturity level of a 15-year-old. She has grown a great deal."
A statement from Parker was read to the court because she does not know how to write. Parker told the court and the family of Hernandez that she was sorry, and that she was "on a path of destruction" before her arrest. Since, she has been building her faith in a higher power.
"I have a plan for my release from prison," her statement said.
Spokane Superior Court Judge Julie McKay told Parker there was "a lot of damage done" that will never be fixed, and she hopes Parker understands that. She then sentenced her for second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.
"Actions have consequences," McKay said. "It doesn't matter what your excuses might be ... I hope you understand that ... And make sure this never happens again."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Axios
8 hours ago
- Axios
Mayor Cherelle Parker polls favorably despite public safety concerns
Swayed by declines in gun violence and faith in the Parker administration, 59% of Philadelphians say the city is headed in the right direction, per a Pew Charitable Trusts poll released Wednesday. Why it matters: That positive outlook is a change-up from recent years — a 23% improvement from 2022. The big picture: Mayor Cherelle Parker's approval rating was 63% entering her second year in office — one of the highest achieved by an incumbent mayor since 2009, per the report. Almost half of the nearly 2,300 residents polled between January and March rated her handling of public safety as "good" or "excellent," per the survey. About a third believe Parker can deliver on her pledge to make the city greener and cleaner. Yes, but: Fewer are hopeful that her administration can tackle more entrenched issues, such as the opioid crisis in Kensington. 36% of people polled believe her actions addressing the city's drug issues will make "no real difference." Zoom in: That bubbling optimism wasn't shared by North Philly and the River Wards residents, where nearly half of those polled from both areas believe the city is on the wrong track. State of play: Despite a stark reduction in homicides last year, 61% of residents still cited public safety as their top concern this year. It's a drop from 70% in 2022, a year after violent crime hit a record high. More than half of Philadelphians reported hearing gunshots in their neighborhood, down from 65% in 2022. Poverty and homelessness were the city's No. 2 issue, followed by affordable housing and cost of living. By the numbers: Fewer than half of Philadelphians view gun violence as getting worse, a steep drop from 85% in 2022. But only 38% believed homicides had dropped over the last year, and young people between 18 and 29 years old were most likely to think the number of homicides had increased. The fine print: SSRS, an independent research company in Glen Mills, conducted the poll for Pew with a margin of error of ±2.7%. Between the lines: More than half of Philadelphians say they felt "completely" or "pretty" safe in their neighborhoods, compared with 44% in 2022. Philly's Asian residents felt the least safe of all groups, which Pew said was notable because it was the first time the group's sample size was big enough to analyze their responses.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
‘Disturbing': Clover community wants answers, justice after hit-and-run that killed father
A town in South Carolina is mourning the tragic loss of a father killed by a driver who didn't stop to help. It happened over the weekend near a Shell gas station along Highway 55 in Clover. Channel 9's Tina Terry asked police about the investigation, but they still haven't found the driver. Now, they're asking for the community's help. Police say the victim, Anthony Parker, was walking with his bike on the shoulder of Highway 55 when the car hit him and kept going. 'That is disturbing. You know for somebody to hit somebody and keep going. Don't see how they can live with themselves,' Ron Penley, a neighbor, said. Neighbors in Clover were disappointed that a driver hit 31-year-old Anthony Raheem Parker Sunday morning and just kept going. 'I think it's terrible, I do,' said another neighbor, Marybeth Adams. The South Carolina State Highway Patrol said Parker was likely hit from behind. Troopers don't know the make or the model of the car involved, but they say it may have damage to the front or the passenger side of the vehicle. 'You would think if somebody saw something like that, they'd report it,' Penley said. A GoFundMe page set up for Parker says he left behind a 3-year-old daughter. His loss is devastating family members, and people in the community are hoping they'll get answers soon. 'I hope they get justice, I really do. They need justice, they need something,' Adams said. The family is raising money to help with funeral expenses. If you have information that can help find the driver involved, you can submit an anonymous tip to the highway patrol by calling 843-661-4705. (VIDEO: First solar-powered Domino's opens in Clover)
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Detroit woman booted from Zoom court hearing after making PB&J during call
The Brief A Detroit mom made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich during a Zoom court hearing. The judge was not too happy about it. Her daughter, 3-year-old Parker, was sick, and that's why Outerbridge said she was multitasking. DETROIT (FOX 2) - A Zoom court hearing went off the rails after a Detroit mom made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich during the session. The sandwich was on full display during the hearing and the judge was not too happy about the display in his Zoom courtroom. The backstory Asja Outerbridge was the mom making the sandwich. 36th District Court Judge Sean Perkins was the one on the other side of that Zoom call. She discovered the video after Metro Detroit News posted the Zoom call clip on Instagram. "It was just a lot going on," she said. "I was having a mommy day. I click on the video and I see the judge that I had, and I see my robe and some peanut butter, and I say 'oh my God!'" Her daughter, 3-year-old Parker, was sick, and that's why Outerbridge said she was multitasking. Judge Perkins then booted Outerbridge from the Zoom call. She was there in the first place for a misdemeanor for allegedly having an open alcohol container as a passenger in a car. Dig deeper The hearings for the 36th District Court were streamed live on YouTube, opening up courtrooms like live theater to the masses. "It's not even COVID anymore, what are we doing here? Let's put court back in the courtrooms," she said. "I do feel like I owe the judge an apology. I could have come better prepared, and I could have handled it a lot better." Outerbridge said she waited for hours in the Zoom waiting room and feels like the judge could have had some mercy on a single mom.
