Man Found Guilty of Murder and other Charges over Drugs
March 12, 2020
Thursday, March 5, 2020, a Columbia man was found guilty by a Richland County jury for murder, attempted murder, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.
The Honorable DeAndrea G. Benjamin sentenced Roshamel Parker to forty (40) years on the murder and (20) years on the attempted murder to run concurrently, and five (5) years on possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime to run consecutively. He was found not guilty of attempted armed robbery.
The case was presented to the jury that on March 25, 2018, the defendant shot and killed Cory Jenkins, and attempted to murder 65 year old Jimmy Rogers.
While Jenkins was at Rogers’ home, defendant and another individual came to the home to purchase marijuana from Jenkins, and Jenkins followed them into the kitchen. Once they went into the kitchen, the victim, Jimmy Rogers, heard an unknown voice announce that they intended to rob Cory Jenkins. Immediately afterwards, shooting started. Rogers was shot in the arm, and Cory Jenkins was shot five (5) times; he died soon after.
While officers were investigating the scene, the defendant and another individual arrived at the hospital with gunshot wounds, in separate vehicles.
Jimmy Rogers was interviewed the next day, and admitted that Cory Jenkins was at his home to sell drugs. He was also able to identify both Parker and the other individual from photo-lineups.
DNA evidence collected at the scene matched that of Roshamel Parker. He was arrested and charged by Columbia Police Department.
Assistant Solicitors Carter Potts and Lamar Fyall represented the State.