Parker Convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter

Anthony Patrick Parker, who admitted to stabbing Phillip Edward Wise with an eight-inch knife in a Harper's Choice parking lot but claimed self-defense, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter on Thursday, according to Wayne Kirwan, a spokesman for the state's attorney's office.

The jury deliberated for seven hours, according to Kirwan.

Parker, 53, who was listed in court records as having addresses in Long Reach and Gwynn Oak, turned himself in to police in September of 2011 after a warrant was issued for his arrest in relation to Wise's murder.

During the trial, the prosecutor said Parker and Wise, 46, were riding around in a van with a group of friends on Sept. 13 when an argument began, according to a report in Explore Howard. Parker, armed with a knife, and Wise, armed with a hammer, then got out of the van in the parking lot of the housing complex near the 5500 block of Harpers Farm Road. Wise hit Parker once with the hammer, but Parker stabbed him five times, ultimately leading to Wise's death.

Parker said he was trapped and couldn't get away from Wise, according to the article.

Judge Louis A. Becker set sentencing for July 9, according to Kirwan.