MEMPHIS, TN (WMC-TV) - A Memphis woman was charged with reckless homicide Thursday after being accused of releasing the pit bulls that attacked an elderly man who later died of a heart attack.
Sherry Wooten, 23, was charged in the death of 71-year-old William Parker. Wooten was also charged with four counts of felony reckless endangerment in connection with attacks on four other people by the dogs.
Parker died after the pit bulls attacked him and his daughter, Gardenia Parker, after she ran to help him.
Gardenia Parker said her life has been changed forever.
"We have to wake up and live another day without him," Parker said.
She said her mother is still living with the habits of having her husband.
"She woke up this morning to fix him a cup of coffee," Parker said. "He didn't come out of the bedroom to get it."
Parker recalled the horrific attack on her father.
"When I got there, the dog had already tore both of his legs to pieces," she said. "No skin, just bones there. It's just a horrible sight to see my dad just lying there."
The dogs then attacked her.
"I kept fighting the dogs because the dogs were still trying to attack him," Parker said.
The dogs knocked Parker down a hill, breaking her arm. She has bite wounds over a significant portion of her body.
The dogs belonged to Bernard Humphrey, who lives in the apartment where the animals tried to return to after Animal Control officers tried to capture them.
Newly released information shows police were called to the apartment on Sunday about dogs running loose. When they arrived, the dogs were secured, but Humphrey was arrested on an outstanding warrant. Humphrey called a relative, who took possession of the dogs.
Tuesday, Wooten, a friend of Humphrey, let the dogs loose. Police said Wooten was aware the animals were vicious. That same day, William Parker and three other people were attacked.
"I want someone to pay," said Gardenia Parker. "I'm paying right now, and I want someone else to suffer."
Monday, June 17 2013 7:28 PM EDT2013-06-17 23:28:44 GMT
Simpson County Sheriff's deputies are looking for two inmates who walked off a work detail crew early Monday morning. According to Simpson County Sheriff Kenneth Lewis, Simpson County Adult Detention CenterMore >>
Simpson County Sheriff's deputies are looking for two inmates who walked off a work detail crew early Monday morning.More >>
Monday, June 17 2013 3:26 PM EDT2013-06-17 19:26:53 GMT
Jackson police are investigating what they believe to be a murder-suicide in south Jackson Monday morning. Few details are being released at this time, but Officer Colendula Green confirms one maleMore >>
Jackson police are investigating what they believe to be a murder-suicide in south Jackson and have identified both victims. More >>
Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:11 AM EDT2013-06-18 05:11:50 GMT
A two-vehicle accident at the Highway 18 and Springridge Road intersection Saturday, resulted in at least one death. A one-and-a-half year-old died in the accident, according to Hinds County Coroner SharonMore >>
A two-vehicle accident at the Highway 18 and Springridge Road intersection Saturday evening resulted in the death of a toddler. Officials have made an arrest in the death.More >>
Monday, June 17 2013 9:37 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:37:58 GMT
An accident that occurred around 3 p.m. Saturday on I-20 W. resulted in at least one fatality. The accident happened between Bovina and Flowers. A bystander told WLBT/WDBD the multi-vehicle accidentMore >>
A second person has died from a multiple-vehicle crash on Interstate 20 in Warren County Saturday.More >>
Monday, June 17 2013 7:46 AM EDT2013-06-17 11:46:45 GMT
BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Jared and Rose Cleerdin found themselves right in the middle of a shootout at what should have been a routine DUI checkpoint. Days after the dramatic shootout in BrunswickMore >>
Jared and Rose Cleerdin found themselves right in the middle of a shootout at what should have been a routine DWI checkpoint. Days after the dramatic shootout in Brunswick County, they are still shaken by what they saw.More >>
Sunday, June 16 2013 10:23 PM EDT2013-06-17 02:23:36 GMT
Hinds county supervisor kenneth stokes says people are being improperly pulled over by madison county deputies. Stokes says he has received complaints and witnessed a madison county deputy on a trafficMore >>
Hinds County Supervisor Kenneth Stokes says people are being improperly pulled over by Madison County Deputies.More >>
Monday, June 17 2013 4:43 PM EDT2013-06-17 20:43:44 GMT
A night at a South Jackson club turned tragic early Sunday morning when a woman passed out and died. People at the Life Bar Lounge told WLBT that the woman may have had a seizure and stopped breathing.More >>
A night at a South Jackson club turned tragic early Sunday morning when a woman passed out and died.More >>
Saturday, June 15 2013 1:58 PM EDT2013-06-15 17:58:55 GMT
A 73-year-old Morton woman was killed in a freak accident. Catherine Westman was coming out of a nail salon when she was run over by a forklift in the parking lot of the Fairway Grocery store WednesdayMore >>
A 73-year-old Morton woman was killed in a freak accident. Catherine Westman was coming out of a nail salon when she was run over by a forklift.More >>
Monday, June 17 2013 2:47 PM EDT2013-06-17 18:47:52 GMT
An overturned log truck on Highway 27, near the Hinds/Copiah County line has shutdown traffic in both directions. The accident occurred shortly after 10 Monday morning.The Mississippi Department of TransportationMore >>
Both lanes of traffic are open where a log truck overturned on Highway 27 in Copiah County Monday morning.More >>
Sunday, June 16 2013 9:52 PM EDT2013-06-17 01:52:26 GMT
A Jackson driver endured some scary moments Sunday as emergency crews worked to free her from her wrecked vehicle. The woman lost control of her vehicle and hit a utility pole and then the pole landedMore >>
A Jackson driver endured some scary moments Sunday as emergency crews worked to free her from her wrecked vehicle.More >>
WLBT 3 - Fox 40
715 South Jefferson Street
Jackson, Mississippi 39201
(601) 948-3333
Sherry Wooten (Source: ShelbySheriff.org)
The dogs as they were captured by Animal Control officers.
WLBT 3 - Fox 40
