Judge Rules Against Hezron Parks In Tempe Fire Captain Murder

By Scott Bourque
Published: Friday, September 20, 2019 - 4:39pm

A Maricopa County Superior Court judge has issued a ruling in the case of Hezron Parks, the man convicted of second-degree murder in the shooting death of a Tempe fire captain. 

Hezron Parks
Scottsdale Police Department

Judge George Foster has ruled against Parks, denying the defense’s motion for a new trial, arguing that the jury was coerced to convict in Parks’s July murder trial. 

Parks was convicted of second-degree murder in the 2018 shooting death of Tempe Fire Captain Kyle Brayer.

In his ruling, the judge sided with the state, stating the defense’s motion was not filed within 10 days of conviction, which state law requires. Under that law, the defense could file another motion within 60 days of sentencing, but that doesn’t guarantee a new trial. 

Parks was arrested in February 2018 after a shooting incident in Old Town Scottsdale. According to court documents, Parks, driving a red Scion, began antagonizing and tailgating a golf cart carrying Brayer, repeatedly accelerating and slamming his brakes within inches of the cart. 

Brayer approached Parks, who then shot Brayer. Parks claimed self defense, but a lack of stippling on Brayer’s body and the location of the shell casing indicate Parks fired his weapon from outside the vehicle. 

Sentencing will go forward once the prosecution and defense can agree upon a hearing date.