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Preliminary hearing date set in Parker rape case

2/24/2010
ERIN MATHEWS

Charges filed in Saline County District Court against Paul Henry Parker Jr. allege two separate acts — one rape and one attempted rape — committed against the same elderly victim while she was a patient at Salina Regional Health Center, the prosecutor said Wednesday.
The three counts of rape Parker, 46, has been charged with are alternate charges for the jury to consider, said prosecutor Christina Trocheck, an assistant Saline County attorney. If a jury were to find Parker guilty on all three charges, the judge would have to select the one for which he would be convicted, she said.
The first rape count alleges that the victim was “overcome by force or fear” and carries a sentencing range of 12 years and three months to 54 years and five months in prison.
The second count alleges that the victim was “unconscious or physically powerless,” and it carries the same possible sentence.
The third contends that the victim’s “consent was obtained through a knowing misrepresentation made by the defendant that the sexual intercourse was a medically or therapeutically necessary procedure.” The sentencing range for this count is nine years and one month to 41 years and one month in prison.
In Saline County District Court Wednesday, public defender Mark Dinkel was appointed to represent Parker. His preliminary hearing, at which the judge will determine if there is sufficient evidence to bind Parker over for trial, was set for 10 a.m. March 5.

Read the rest of this story in Thursday's Salina Journal.