HICKORY, N.C. — A woman accused of shooting and killing a coworker in Hickory pleaded not guilty to murder Wednesday.
Tangela and Eric Parker were the focus of a nationwide search after being on the run for six months.
The couple was arrested by federal marshals after the murder at a home more than 2,000 miles away in Phoenix, Arizona.
Tangela Parker is accused of shooting and killing Michelle Marlow, a co-worker at TCS Designs in January 2021.
After pleading guilty, Tangela Parker’s trial was set for Sept. 11.
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Marlow’s husband and several other family members appeared in court in November wearing shirts with Michelle’s picture on them.
They told Channel 9 that they haven’t missed a court date yet.
“Hits me every time. Reliving it over and over and over. It’s terrible,” Justin Marlow, Michelle’s husband, said.
“To see her smile and I can’t see my daughter’s smile … no, it’s not fair,” Teresa Bowman, Michelle’s mother said.
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The Parkers are accused of murdering Marlow before fleeing the state, according to police. Eric also worked for TCS Designs.
Federal marshals said the couple made their way to Arizona before changing their names, renting out a room on Craigslist, and working odd jobs. The couple apparently lived out of their SUV at some point.
The Parkers were arrested in Arizona and brought back to North Carolina, where Eric was charged with accessory after the fact for helping Tangela elude authorities.
“The only plea that I’ll take is first degree,” Justin Marlow told Channel 9 in November. “That’s all I’ll stand for and if she wants to go to trial that’s good … let’s go to trial.”
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