POWHATAN -- A Powhatan County Circuit Court jury this afternoon found two young men guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the June 24, 2008, slaying of Tahliek Taliaferro.
Ethan Parrish, 25, and cousin Joseph "Joey" Parrish, 18, had been charged with first-degree murder in the slaying.
Outside the courtroom, Tahliek Taliaferro's family and friends were upset. Jean Taliaferro, who raised Tahliek, said, "You don't know what I'm going through. I cry every day."
Powhatan County Commonwealth's Attorney Robert Beasley said, "It was an accident that didn't have to happen. It happened because Ethan Parrish was doing something grossly irresponsible, firing a gun down the highway."
The jury received the case at 9:10 a.m. today and a verdict was reached just after 3 p.m. The panel reconvened shortly after 4 p.m. to determine the punishment, but court was adjourned about 6:30 p.m. and jurors were sent home. The jury will continue sentence deliberations tomorrow morning.
Ethan Parrish faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $2,500 for involuntary manslaughter, and up to one year and a $2,500 fine for assault and battery in the shooting of Courtney Jones.
Joey Parrish faces the same prison time on the involuntary manslaughter and assault and battery convictions, plus an additional sentence for being a felon in possession of a weapon. Joey Parrish, who was a juvenile at the time of the shooting, will be sentenced by Judge Thomas V. Warren.
Ethan Parrish testified that it was out of fear that he attached an 83-round clip to a semiautomatic rifle and opened fire, killing Taliaferro and injuring another youth.
Ethan Parrish said he was worried because he felt the 18-year-old Taliaferro, a popular Powhatan High School athlete, and his friends were coming after him.
Joey Parrish did not testify.
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