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Lawyers Sum Up Cases in Shooting of TV Actor

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SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

A dispute over dog droppings that triggered the shooting of a television actor was portrayed in sharply differing tones as lawyers summed up their cases in Van Nuys Superior Court Friday.

The defendant’s lawyer attacked Jameson Parker, star of “Simon & Simon,” as a victim who fabricated a story to save his image and salability to producers and advertisers.

In contrast, prosecutors alleged that Robert St. George, on trial for attempted murder, shot an unarmed Parker from the front and back as the two argued over the actor’s dogs.

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St. George, 53, a plumbing contractor who faces up to 17 years in prison if convicted, admitted he shot Parker during a confrontation on Oct. 1, 1992. Parker was hit twice, once under the left arm and then in his right arm. Although medical tests were inconclusive, Parker testified that he had his back to St. George when the second shot was fired.

The only question for jurors was whether St. George was reasonably fearful for his own safety in the confrontation at his home. Parker testified that he went to St. George’s Studio City home, around the corner from his own residence, to discuss an incident in which his wife, Darlene, and St. George traded insults. St. George was angry because he believed Parker should have kept his dogs from defecating on St. George’s lawn.

Parker said he was irritated but calm as he banged the door until St. George appeared with a gun. After a fruitless discussion, Parker said he threw his hands up and was backing away when St. George shot him.

St. George contradicted virtually every aspect of Parker’s testimony, claiming Parker was armed when he arrived.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Kathleen M. Cady said that while people have a right to protect themselves inside their homes, they must act reasonably, and St. George had “no reason to shoot a man whose hands are in the air and then to shoot him in the back.”

Elliot Sanford, attorney for St. George, attacked the actor’s credibility.

“He said he was anxious about publicity,” Stanford said.

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