Killer of Mother, Stepfather Sentenced

Bradly Charles Parlin, who admitted bludgeoning his mother and stepfather to death in their Rancho Bernardo home to obtain drug money, was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison.

Superior Court Judge Frederic L. Link issued two life-without-parole sentences to the 29-year-old heroin addict, who murdered Jean and Wallace Eckroad on Sept. 19.

“I don’t have to go through any machinations,” Link said. “Life without the possibility of parole is exactly what it means.”

Parlin pleaded guilty May 20 to two counts of murder and two special circumstances, which allowed the life-without-parole sentence. In exchange for the guilty plea, prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty.

Defense attorneys have maintained that heroin wielded the hammer that killed the elderly couple. But Link and Deputy Dist. Atty. Jim Waters disagreed.

“The prosecution has no evidence to suggest he was high on heroin,” Waters said. “His love of heroin inspired him. The drugs did not kill these people, he did.”

Waters said Parlin planned the crime because he had the claw hammer when he slept in the yard of the Abra Way home the night before the slaying. Parlin planned to confront his 76-year-old stepfather in his front yard and demand money, Waters said.

However, when Eckroad came out through a side door, Parlin immediately pummeled the man to the kitchen floor, Waters said.

Jean Eckroad, 64, heard the commotion, and, when she realized what was happening tried to flee. Parlin ran after his mother and struck her with the hammer, Waters said.

“He killed the woman who gave him everything he could have asked for,” Waters said.

After the killings, Parlin went on a four-day crime rampage. He used Wallace Eckroad’s gasoline company charge cards to purchase cigarettes, which he sold for drug money. He was arrested after robbing a bank in Solana Beach and leading officers on a high-speed chase through the county.

Through his attorney, Carolyn Bumer, Parlin expressed “extreme regret for the pain he has caused.”