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http://www.kget.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=21302@video.kget.comBAKERSFIELD - The man convicted of murdering his mother and then claiming steroid use made him do it asked for a new trial Wednesday.
But he’ll have to wait another couple of weeks to find out if the judge agrees there is enough evidence for a retrial.
Parker Chamberlin was convicted of stabbing his mother Torie Lynn Knapp to death in 2001
when he was just 15 years old.
Now at age 21, Chamberlin’s attorney said steroids drove Chamberlain to murder—a point, he says, that wasn’t clearly presented at trial.
The defense said it’s just another excuse.
"I’ve had the case about a year, and I've been working on it up to this point,” said attorney Brain McNamara. “So the roid rage has come about in the last six months into the media but certainly … case brewing well before that.”
“The defense that was presented in this case and, I think, very effectively by the trial defense was to argue the evidence was insufficient to show Chamberlin was acting [on] premeditation and deliberation,” said Deputy District Attorney John Somers, “which is a required element of first-degree murder. Had evidence of steroid abuse been presented, it only would have gone to the same issue … there hadn't been steroid use for more than a month.”
Chamberlin was sentenced to 26 years to life for stabbing and killing his mother.
Today, his current attorney asked for a new trial based on the basis Chamberlin’s previous attorney failed to present important information about his steroid use.
Chamberlin and his family said rage from steroids drove the Honor Roll student to viciously kill his mother.
This comes on the heels of an international steroid bust last week.
Drug Enforcement agents arrested two Bakersfield men they said sold large amounts of anabolic steroids locally.
Agent Stephen Peterson said the community should be aware of the dangers of steroid use.
“Physically it changes your body and your outlook,” Peterson said.
Steroids have received lots of media attention lately. Peterson said we should be aware of the pressure teen athletes feel to take steroids.
The judge heard testimony from doctors and Chamberlin’s family Wednesday.
He postponed the decision about granting a new trial until Oct. 24.
(Photo courtesy of KGET.com)
