Klamath Falls, Ore. – Opening arguments were made Friday morning in the trial of a man accused of shooting and wounding a Klamath County Sheriff’s Deputy. Deputy Jason Weber was shot in the face, and stomach by a suspect in August of 2014.
NBC5 News would like to inform the reader that much of the testimony in this story may be considered graphic, and disturbing.
The first image presented to the jury was of Deputy Jason Weber’s bloody uniform, and his call to 911. Prosecutor Alison Martin says 31 year old William ‘Jack’ Parkerson later bragged about the shooting to a friend, stating, “I just blasted a cop in the face.”
The shooting happened in August of 2014 when Deputy Weber pulled over a car for not having a front license plate.
Police say Karey Pascoe was driving, and that Christopher Holmgren was in the back seat. Holmgren later re-enacted for police how he claims Parkerson shot Deputy Weber in the face. “So he gets moving, he gets on his feet,” explained Alison Martin, describing Deputy Weber’s actions following the first shot to his face. “And a second shot comes through the back through his body.”
The jury was shown an M.R.I. of Weber’s jaw after the shooting, and picture of Weber in the hospital.
While Pascoe and Holmgren are expected to provide key testimony, defense attorney Michael Bertholf cautioned the jury, “You will see through their testimony, why their testimony is distrustful.”
And, Bertholf claims the state has charged the wrong man. “Not only can the state not prove that Jack Parkerson fired the shots,” stated Bertholf. “But in all likelihood it was Christopher Holmgren that fired the shots.”
Prosecutors have called 42 people to testify at the trial, which is expected to last at least 2 weeks.
Jason Weber is continuing to recover from his wounds, and has since taken a job with the Oregon Liquor Control Commission.
Parkerson is charged with attempted aggravated murder and first-degree assault, and could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted.
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