A man will spend decades in prison for stabbing a deputy while he was being booked into the Fulton County Jail in 2022, officials said.
Richard Donny Parham Jr., was convicted by a jury Friday on charges that include aggravated assault against a law enforcement officer, criminal attempt to commit a felony and weapons possession.
Parham charged Deputy Clarence Houston during an intake process on Sept. 5, 2022 and stabbed him several times, according to Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat.
After being found guilty, Parham, 43, was then sentenced to 40 years in prison, according to online records.
“I commend the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office for the conviction of Richard Parham,” Labat said in a statement Sunday. “This verdict sends a clear message that violence against law enforcement officers will not be tolerated. I want to personally acknowledge the bravery and resilience of Deputy Clarence Houston, who has demonstrated tremendous strength throughout his recovery and continues to serve the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office with dedication.”
On Sept. 4, 2022, Parham was arrested by Atlanta police on multiple counts of terroristic threats, as well as felony obstruction by threats of violence against police officers, authorities said.
Credit: WSBTV Videos
Officials said he also faced a traffic charge of emerging from an alley, driveway or building without stopping to yield. According to court records, Parham was allegedly driving a golf cart on the sidewalk when an officer asked for his identification and he resisted arrest.
“During that incident, (the) defendant made threats to the arresting officer’s life,” the court records stated.
The next morning, at about 7:30 a.m., Labat said the deputy went to complete his processing and was attacked. According to the court records, Houston was stabbed in the chest and neck after he opened Parham’s cell, resulting in a nondisplaced sternal fracture and permanent scar on his neck.
Fulton Sheriff spokesperson Natalie Ammons said Houston came back to work in November 2023 and is now assigned to the county courthouse.
Parham was also found guilty of aggravated battery and unlawful possession of dangerous weapon by an inmate. On Sunday, Labat called the attack a “violent assault.”
“We are grateful for his service and remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting him and all members of our team,” Labat added. “The safety and security of our team and those in our custody remain our highest priority. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety of those who serve and protect our community every day.”
Parham was previously arrested several times between 2010-2016 on charges that include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, giving false information, criminal trespass and willful obstruction of law enforcement officers, according to county jail records.
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