The Gazebo Gazette

GULFPORT (GG) — On Monday, September 23, 2024, Christopher Moore from Gulfport, Mississippi pled guilty this past Friday to killing Darrell Parker in August of 2022. After accepting the guilty plea on the charge of First-Degree Murder, Circuit Court Judge Lisa Dodson sentenced Moore to a Life sentence in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. 

The investigation into this case began on August 3, 2022, when the Gulfport Police Department received calls regarding a stabbing in process at a home on St. Charles Street in  Gulfport.

It was later discovered that the two calls were placed by room-mates who lived in the home with both Parker and Moore. This home was a half-way house for individuals recovering from drug addictions. 

Upon entry into the home, officers with the Gulfport Police Department observed Parker lying lifeless in the kitchen of the residence suffering from multiple stab wounds to the head, back,  and chest areas. Officers further observed two broken knives lying next to Parker’s body, and a third knife was subsequently located in the trash can.

After interviewing multiple individuals, “the  investigation revealed that a witness observed Moore behind the victim with his arms around his neck. A witness also observed Moore stabbing the victim repeatedly while holding the victim in a headlock” said Assistant District Attorney Haley Broom, who prosecuted this case, along with ADA Chris Daniel. Although Moore attempted to justify his actions based upon self-defense, the evidence collected by Gulfport Police Department did not substantiate his claim. 

Once accepting Moore’s guilty plea on the charge of First-Degree Murder, and listening to Moore’s statements regarding an alleged conspiracy to harm him, Judge Dodson responded to Moore, “You cannot take the law into your own hands” and sentenced Moore to Life in prison, which  is the only sentence available in Mississippi on the charge of First-Degree Murder.

Moore stated, “I  am so very sorry, Your Honor. I wish I could sit down with this man’s family and give them closure.  I wish I could relive that day.”  

“This was a tragic and senseless act which resulted in the death of a vulnerable man who could not defend himself. The maximum allowable sentence under the law was appropriate in this  case” said District Attorney W. Crosby Parker.