Fla. man accused in Oct. stabbing near Farigrounds grandstand free on bail program

Michael Parks (Rochester Police photo)

ROCHESTER - A Florida man accused of stabbing a man at a tent site near the Fairgrounds grandstand in October is facing up to 45 years in prison after his indictment on three first degree assault charges.

Michael Parks, 47, of 1027 NW 9th Ave. Apt. #203, Homestead, Fla,, stabbed the 26-year-old male victim following an altercation that turned physical around 6:35 a.m. on Oct. 5.

When Rochester Police arrived they located a male with facial injuries who said the assault occurred at a tent site in a nearby wooded area, according to Rochester Police Capt. Todd Pinkham.
Other officers then went to the tent and spoke with the other parties involved.
"During the investigation, officers learned that a verbal altercation occurred at the tent site and that altercation turned physical," Pinkham said shortly after the arrest. "As the verbal altercation was taking place, a male grabbed what was believed to be a kitchen utensil such as a butter knife, fork or spoon, and began stabbing the other male involved in the altercation."

The indictment describes what Parks used as a "sharp object" and a "deadly weapon," and indicates the victim was struck in the right index finger, the left forearm and in the back.

Pinkham said the fight ended when the male being attacked began defending himself by throwing punches, resulting in both men sustaining minor injuries that required treatment by EMS.
Parks was arrested on scene and remained at the Strafford County Jail until Nov. 13 when he was released to a bail supervision program, Strafford County Jail personnel said today. Information wasn't immediately available as to whether that bail supervision program was located in Florida or New Hampshire.

This month's Strafford County indictments were handed down on Dec. 14 and released to the public today.

And indictment is not an indication of guilt but rather that enough evidence has been presented to a grand jury to warrant moving forward to trial.