Trial begins for woman accused in husband’s death

Parks charged with criminal homicide in shooting

CLEARFIELD -- The trial for a Morrisdale woman accused of plotting the murder of her estranged husband began this week in Clearfield County court.

Danielle Elizabeth Parks, 38, is charged with criminal homicide, criminal conspiracy, recklessly endangering another person and tampering with evidence in connection with the shooting death of Kodey Lee Parks, 33, of Drifting, on Feb. 24, 2024, at a Morris Township home.

In his opening statements Monday, District Attorney Ryan Sayers told the jury that in this case, "the devil is in the details."

Initially, Parks told police that she shot Kodey after he tackled her that night when he arrived at the home to exchange custody of their children.

Further investigation into the incident revealed holes in her story. She then changed her story to include her boyfriend, Bryan S. Michaelis, 49, who she said shot Kodey after she dropped the gun, and Michaelis picked it up.

Sayers outlined about 30 witnesses who will testify during the trial, including multiple police officers who were either on the scene or were aware of the history between Kodey and Danielle, who had an active protection from abuse order filed against Kodey.

"They are trying to sell this as a justified killing," Sayers told the jury, but added the facts show this was an intentional murder.

Defense attorney Lance Marshall, who is representing Parks, in his opening stated there was no evidence of a conspiracy to kill Kodey, as his arrival at the house was planned for a short period of time.

"This was a love triangle," he said. Marshall told the jury that Kodey and Danielle had a "violent relationship." After they split, Kodey was charged with strangulation for attacking her and the PFA was issued, he said. Danielle filed for divorce.

Marshall said the two tried to set up an exchange of custody through a third party that night, as required. Kodey arrived at the home and after the kids were in his vehicle, he ran into the house.

"What if he just left? No one could foresee Kodey running into the house and chasing Danielle upstairs," Marshall said.

He concluded by stating there was no plan or intention to kill Kodey.

Testimony from several troopers outlined the volatile relationship between Danielle and Kodey.

A recording Danielle made of the two arguing in September 2023 as he insisted she give him her vehicle's keys was played for the jury. Kodey allegedly struck her in the face, shoved her head against a tub and later put her in a chokehold. This resulted in the strangulation case filed against him.

When questioned at the time about the incident, Kodey told Trooper Keith Smolko that "stuff got out of hand" and he admitted to everything but the strangulation charge against him, Smolko testified. In addition to strangulation, Kodey was charged with simple assault, terroristic threats and harassment, the trooper said.

In addition to the strangulation case, Kodey was charged with burglary for breaking into his former home and writing messages on the floor and kitchen counter, and violated the PFA twice.

The first officer on the scene the night Kodey died, Trooper Alex Berne, testified that Danielle was standing in the yard with her phone in her hand. She was told to stay there as he went inside where he saw Danielle's father sleeping on the couch and her two children sitting and watching television.

Berne found Kodey lying in the upstairs hallway. The original call was for a shooting, but Kodey was dead from multiple gunshot wounds, Berne said.

In Danielle's vehicle, Cpl. Ross Munsee testified they found ammunition for a .22 caliber pistol, which was used in the shooting, as well as ammunition for another weapon owned by Danielle and shotgun shells.

Danielle's original interview at the police station was shown to the jury.

In it, she says he tried to talk with her when he came for the kids, as he wanted to get back together with her. She went into the house and he came in, jumping on her back, pushing her down and pulling her hair. She had the .22 pistol, which she had purchased the day before.

She claimed he said he couldn't live without her as she struggled and shot him.

"He kept coming at you," a trooper asked in the interview footage.

She responded "yes" and stated that he said "you shot me."

After this, she got the kids from his vehicle and put them in the house. She claimed she didn't know if she hit him or not and "I never really went back upstairs."

In this interview, she mentioned there was no one else in the home except her father, who was passed out on the couch.

The trial is scheduled to last all week.