Brett Parker Indicted in Federal Sports Bookie Case

Three Lexington County men — one of whom is charged with the murders of his wife and friend — were indicted by a federal grand jury Tuesday on one count of conduct of an illegal gambling business.

Brett Davis Parker, 42, of Irmo, his father, Jack Winfred Parker, 71, of Chapin, and Douglas E. Taylor, 60, of Leesville were all charged and face a maximum penalty of five years in prison.  

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In July, a judge denied bond for Brett Parker who is being held at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. 

Prosecutors said Parker killed his wife to collect more than $1 million in insurance money to pay off about $600,000 in debt.

Parker, however, told Richland County Sheriff's detectives that Capnerhurst shot his wife and then he shot Capnherhurst in self-defense. 

Three other Midlands men were sentenced in January for their roles in the Columbia-area gambling operation.

Lanny Ray Gunter II, 42, of Chapin, was sentenced to five months in prison, to be followed by five months home confinement.

Harry Bruce Benenhaley, 66, of Columbia, and Ronald Dale Spence, 61, of Irmo, were both sentenced to five years probation, including six months of home confinement. 

The case was investigated by agents of the United States Secret Service and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Winston D. Holliday, Jr., of the Columbia office for prosecution.

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