Parker fights with lawyer
Bank robber was Union County car dealer
By DWIGHT OTWELL Sentinel writer

Convicted bank robber Leonard Parker Friday told a judge he is guilty and he knows he will never get out of prison.

But his sentencing was delayed again because Parker would not cooperate with his appointed attorney Joel Trilling.

Parker, 50, in February was found guilty of 10 counts connected to two bank robberies in 2006, including the robbery of the First Citizens Bank branch in the Peachtree section of Cherokee County.

He owned and operated a large used car lot on the Murphy Highway in Union County for several years prior to his arrest.

Last week, Parker came into the federal courtroom in a Buncombe County jail suit, a beard, shoulder length hair and with his legs chained.

Parker told federal Judge Lacy Thornburg that he didn't go over his pre-sentence report with his attorney. Trilling said Parker wasn't helpful and told him that their meeting was over and told him to leave. Thornburg ordered Parker to leave the room and to go over the pre-sentence hearing with his lawyer.

Parker was later brought back into the courtroom.

"Did you go over the pre-sentence report?" Judge Thornburg asked.

"No sir," Parker said. "I am guilty of these charges. But this attorney has been dishonest with me. I said from day one when I was locked up that I did it. I want to accept my punishment now and appeal it. I know I am never going to get out of prison."

Parker has had several lawyers since his arrest January 2006. He has asked for dismissal of his attorneys. He began his trial representing himself but Trilling was appointed to help him with his case before it ended. Parker has had at least four different lawyers to represent him since his arrest.

Thornburg said he will continue the case so that a status of counsel hearing can be held.

"If you don't want Mr. Trilling as an attorney, we will decide whether to give you another attorney or let you represent yourself," Thornburg said.

Parker said he read the presentence report himself.

"I lost a million dollar house and a million dollar business. I want a lawyer to explore avenues I need explored," he said.

It took a federal jury only an hour and 15 minutes to find Park guilty of all 10 counts against him. Parker testified for himself and was his only witness in the trial. Parker claimed insanity because he said he quit taking Paxil, an anti-depressant and anti-anxiety drug, during the time of the bank robberies.

Parker faces a possible maximum of 144 years in prison or a fine of $1.5 million or both.