Peninsula Daily News
PORT TOWNSEND — A Brinnon man has been sentenced to 16 years and three months in prison after he attacked a woman with a machete.
James N. Parker on Friday pleaded guilty to assault in the first degree, burglary in the first degree and harassment — threats to kill. All charges were designated as acts of domestic violence.
He originally was charged in January 2021 with attempted first-degree murder.
Superior Court Judge Keith Harper sentenced Parker to 195 months, a sentence recommended by Prosecuting Attorney James Kennedy, “which was agreed to by Mr. Parker,” according to a press release.
Parker also is sentenced to Department of Corrections supervision for 36 months following his release, and he will be required to undergo chemical dependency and mental health treatment. At the prosecution’s request, the court entered protection orders for the victim and her children.
Parker was arrested after a report that his ex-girlfriend “just opened her door to her residence and was attacked by James Parker with a machete” the night of Jan. 17, 2021, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
He was 38 at the time.
She was able to escape her home and drive away in her vehicle before she was contacted by a Jefferson County deputy on U.S. Highway 101, according to court documents.
“The victim sustained significant cutting injuries to her right arm, left arm, upper back, head, shoulders, and neck,” according to deputies. She was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
During her impact statement, the woman told the court that the attack “changed [her] life substantially,” according to the county prosecuting attorney’s office.
Day-to-day tasks such as dressing herself continue to be a struggle, she told the court.
She said that she could not hold her baby for long periods of time, that she has scars that cause pain throughout the day and is unable to swim or teach her children to swim, which was something she loved to do during the summer, the prosecuting attorney’s office said.
At sentencing, the judge told the women she was “very fortunate to be where you are now … and I hope your children will be able to overcome their fear from this event,” according to the release.
After the attack, Parker fled south down Highway 101 into Mason County; eventually, his vehicle was located blocking traffic on the highway, the prosecuting attorney’s office said.
A Mason County K-9 dog team found Parker hiding in the woods about 100 yards from his vehicle, according to the prosecuting attorney’s office.
Upon his arrest, Parker reportedly told deputies that he attacked the woman “because the voices told me to do it.”
Deputies said that he and the woman had a relationship but had been separated for several years.
According to Parker’s criminal history, which includes a prior conviction for a sex offense, he faced a sentencing range of 162-216 months.
“The events of that night were horrific,” Kennedy said. “If not for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office’s fast response, the victim would likely have perished and without the assistance of the Mason County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit the defendant may have evaded capture. Additionally, the follow up investigation by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Unit was exemplary and made this result possible.”
