Claremore Daily Progress

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August 2, 2008

Parks due back in court

By TOM FINK



A former Rogers State University student accused in a shooting conspiracy will be arraigned Monday in Rogers County District Court.

Tywone Dion Parks, 24, faces a felony charge of plan/attempt/conspire to perform an act of violence and outraging public decency, a misdemeanor.

Claremore Police was dispatched to Parks’ apartment on Feb. 18, following the discovery of a severed dog’s head on the porch of a female neighbor of Parks.

Lt. Charles Goad said he observed writings of Parks wherein Parks detailed his intentions to “choke the life out of Gaft,” and “cut Paula’s head off and stick it in my freezer.” It was learned that “Paula” and “Gaft” were real people, acquaintenances of Parks. Both had been in contact with Parks at the university. They were later identified as Paula Blalock and Brandon Gaffney.

During the investigation, Goad contacted “Paula,” who confirmed her relationship with Parks, and said he had told her to “live each day as though it were her last,” and that Parks had indicated he had “homicidal thoughts since the age of 7.”

Goad also learned of numerous text messages Parks had sent to a fraternity member, requesting the help of placing a body “the size of a small boy.”

Parks was arrested Feb. 22, following a psychological evaluation at Grand Lake Mental Health Center. He was booked into Rogers County Jail on charges of “planning to perform act of death,” jail records indicate.

At Parks’ Feb. 28, bond hearing, details surrounding his arrest were given by investigators.

During subsequent court appearances, Parks’ attorney, Jack Zanerhaft of Tulsa, made unsuccessful attempts to have charges against Parks dismissed and his arrest “quashed.”

Arraignment is 1:30 p.m. in the courtroom of Judge J. Dwayne Steidley.

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