Joseph Stration Parker v. State of Arkansas
Annotate this Case
Download PDF
ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS
NOT DESIGNATED FOR PUBLICATION
KAREN R. BAKER, JUDGE
DIVISION III
CACR07512
JOSEPH STRATION PARKER
APPELLANT
v.
FEBRUARY 20, 2008
APPEAL FROM THE LOGAN COUNTY
CIRCUIT COURT
[NO. CR20038]
STATE OF ARKANSAS
APPELLEE
HONORABLE TERRY M. SULLIVAN,
CIRCUIT JUDGE
AFFIRMED
Appellant Joseph Parker was charged in Logan County Circuit Court with three counts of
rape. Appellant represented himself at trial and was convicted and sentenced to sixty years in the
Arkansas Department of Correction. In Parker v. State, 93 Ark. App. 472, 220 S.W.3d 238 (2005),
this court reversed his conviction holding that while the trial court explained that the appellant
would be held to the same standards as an attorney, “there must still be a specific warning of the
substantive dangers of pro se representation in each case.” Id.
On retrial, appellant was specifically warned of the substantive dangers of pro se
representation; however, he nevertheless waived his right to counsel and chose to represent himself
a second time. Appellant was convicted on virtually identical testimony that was adduced at the first
trial. He was sentenced to seventyfive years in the Arkansas Department of Correction.
His sole argument on appeal is that the trial court erred in denying his motion for a directed
verdict. While appellant did move for a directed verdict, his motions merely asked for a directed
verdict, failing to identify in what respect the evidence was insufficient. See Ark. R. Crim. P. 33.1
(2006). A general motion that merely asserts that the State has failed to prove its case is inadequate
to preserve the issue for appeal. Carey v. State, 365 Ark. 379, 230 S.W.3d 553 (2006). The reason
underlying the requirement that specific grounds be stated and that the absent proof be pinpointed
is that it allows the circuit court the option of either granting the motion, or, if justice requires, of
allowing the State to reopen its case and supply the missing proof. Id.
Appellant’s motion was general in nature and failed to specify the respect in which the
evidence was insufficient. Accordingly, the trial court did not err in denying appellant’s motions
for directed verdict.
Affirmed.
GRIFFEN and VAUGHT, JJ., agree.
2
Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.