North Carolina Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Killing 3 Connecticut men in 2015

EDWARD MICHAEL PARKS, also known as “Lee” and “Trouble,” 37, of Raleigh, North Carolina, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to three consecutive life sentences for federal offenses related to his kidnapping and murdering of two individuals in Hamden, and his killing of a third man in New Haven to stop him from notifying law enforcement.

Today’s announcement was made by United States Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery, New Haven State’s Attorney John P. Doyle, Jr., Special Agent in Charge Robert Fuller of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hamden Police Chief Edward Page Reynolds, and New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson.

According to the evidence presented during his trial, on November 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.  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 perceived Williams as being anxious about the murders of Connor and Lawrence, Parks shot and killed Williams in the area of Sherman Court in New Haven.

On January 19, 2023, Parks was found guilty of two counts of kidnapping resulting in death, and one count of witness tampering by killing.

“This is a necessary and appropriate sentence that provides justice for the victims and their loved ones, and will protect society from a ruthless killer,” said U.S. Attorney Avery.  “Our office prioritizes the prosecution of those who illegally traffic, possess, and use guns, which wreaks havoc in our communities, especially our cities.  I thank our partners in the FBI, Hamden Police Department, New Haven Police Department and New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office for their dedicated and collaborative efforts in this critically important investigation.”

“Today’s sentence is appropriate for the level of violence and murder this individual was responsible for while on our streets,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Fuller.  “It is our sincere hope that this sentence brings the victim’s families one step closer to some degree of closure.”

“The New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office would like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s office, the FBI, and the Hamden and New Haven Police Departments for their work in this case,” said New Haven State’s Attorney Doyle.  “This sentencing reflects that strong partnerships between law enforcement are invaluable in the pursuit of justice for victims and their grieving families. We look forward to this continued collaboration as we all strive each day to make our communities in greater New Haven safer.”

“I hope and pray that the families of these victims will be able to find some closure and peace,” said Hamden Police Chief Reynolds.  “I thank and commend Hamden Sergeant Jomo Crawford, New Haven Assistant Chief Bertram Ettienne, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the New Haven State’s Attorney Office including now Chief State’s Attorney Pat Griffin and current New Haven State’s Attorney Jack Doyle, Raleigh 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.”

“The New Haven Police Department is extremely grateful to our partners in the U.S. Attorney’s office, FBI, DEA, ATF, and the State’s Attorney’s office,” said New Haven Police Chief Jacobson.  “A case like this cannot be brought to justice without this collaboration.  I also want to thank then Detective and now Assistant Chief Bertram Ettienne, who was the NHPD lead, and then Detective Jomo Crawford, who is now Sergeant Crawford.  These two and this team committed themselves to justice for the three victims.  This shows a strong resolve to help stop the violence in our cities.”

Parks has been in custody since January 2016 and was previously convicted of federal drug and firearm offenses in the Eastern District of North Carolina.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Hamden Police Department and New Haven Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel J. Gentile and A. Reed Durham, and Assistant State’s Attorney Seth Garbarsky, who was cross-designated as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in this matter.