Ex-fiancé charged with murder in Michelle Parker’s 2011 disappearance
publishers 16articles 22first reported 14 Oct, 19:15 UTCdeveloping since 15 Oct · 7 editions
Orlando police arrested Dale Smith Jr. on a second-degree murder charge Wednesday in connection with the 2011 disappearance of his former fiancée, Michelle Parker.
Parker, then 33, disappeared on Nov. 17, 2011, the day an episode of “The People’s Court” aired featuring Parker and Smith in a dispute over an engagement ring. Police Chief Eric Smith said Parker was last known to have had contact with Smith after dropping off their two children at his home. Her SUV was found abandoned the next day, and her cellphone was recovered from a lake the following month. Parker has never been found.
Police said investigators renewed their focus on the case during the past year, reexamining testimony and conflicting statements and using newer digital-forensics techniques to analyze evidence from vehicles, phones, computers and other electronic devices. Detective Phillip McMican said Smith had given different answers when asked the same specific questions during interviews and depositions over the years. He also said investigators found new evidence within the past year, though authorities did not disclose what evidence directly prompted the arrest.
Smith has long denied wrongdoing. Orlando police said evidence identifies him as responsible for Parker’s death.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 1 with the publisher's own text; 6 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 6 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
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- Source articles
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- Given to the writer
- 8, 1 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 6
- This version written
- 6 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
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WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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