Overview
- Video of the Oct. 28, 2025 encounter in Park Heights that went viral served as the trial’s central evidence and was shown in court by prosecutors and the defense.
- Judge Dana M. Middleton convicted Parks of second-degree assault, misconduct in office and reckless driving and acquitted him of attempted murder and first-degree assault.
- Victim Antrell Smith testified that Parks’ cruiser hit his leg and left him with a swollen knee while Parks testified he believed the man might be armed and was trying to detain a person with a warrant.
- Prosecutors highlighted discrepancies in Parks’ crash report and argued he escalated the encounter by driving directly at the man, while defense lawyers said Parks acted to corral a wanted suspect.
- Parks remains suspended without pay and on home detention, faces up to 65 years if later convicted on all counts, and the verdict is likely to fuel review of BPD policies on vehicle use and incident reporting.