Jury Selection Begins in Horrific Texas Mother’s Capital Murder Case

Back in October of 2020, a woman was accused of killing a young pregnant woman in New Boston, Texas and removing the unborn baby. The case is now moving forward.

With the nature of the crime, some thought that there would be a change of venue, but the trial will take place locally.

Yesterday, Wednesday, June 29, 2022, the Jury selection process began. According to the Texarkana Gazette, Two thousand bowie county residents received a summon to report to the New Boston High School in New Boston Texas. 504 of those now qualify. The selection will be screened further and eventually be brought down to the 12 jurors that will serve on this trial.

The trial is set to begin on September 12 at the Bowie County Courthouse.

The story broke back on October 9, 2020, when 22-year-old Reagan Simmons-Handcock who was approximately 8 months pregnant was found dead at her home in New Boston, Texas. The baby had been removed from Reagan's body.

The suspect, later identified as Tayor Parker, 27, of Simms Texas was arrested later that day in Oklahoma.

Parker arrived at McCurtain Memorial Hospital the morning of October 9 with a baby she said she had just given birth to on the side of the road.

According to a press release from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation;

OSBI Agents and Idabel Detectives went to the hospital and learned that Parker had been stopped by a Texas Trooper in DeKalb, Texas. She told the Trooper she just had the baby and the baby wasn’t breathing. At that point, she and the baby were transported by ambulance to the hospital in McCurtain County, Okla. The baby was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

Parker was then jailed without bond on capital murder, murder and kidnapping charges in the death of Reagan Simmons-Hancock, 21, and her baby. Parker was accused of removing an unborn baby from Reagan Simmons-Handcock. Reagan and her baby both died as a result of the injuries they sustained.

Parker was then extradited to Texas. She is now facing 2 counts of Capital Murder and one count of kidnapping. The state of Texas is seeking the death penalty for Parker.

This case crossed state lines and was a collaborative investigation involving numerous law agencies including the OSBI, Idabel Police Department, New Boston, Texas Police Department and the Texas Rangers.

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