Niles' bond: $1 million

David E. Niles is escorted from the Bedford County Courthouse Tuesday morning by Capt. Becky Hord of the Bedford County Sheriff's Department. Niles has been charged with first degree murder in connection with the shooting death of 26-year-old Laura Parker.
(T-G Photo by Brian Mosely)

David E. Niles, 24, of Lucas Road has been charged with first degree murder in connection with the shooting death of Laura Parker, 26. Niles is also charged with unlawful possession of a weapon.

He was in General Sessions Court Tuesday morning, but did not make any appearance before a judge. His next court date is set for Feb. 16 before Judge Charles Rich.

According to assistant district attorney Richard Cawley, Niles is to be represented by the public defender's office.

Niles was arrested Monday night no more that five minutes after gunshots were reported at Forest Hills Apartments on Neeley Avenue around 8:30 p.m., where the body of Parker was discovered lying in a pool of blood near her car.

Niles' car, a white Nissan Sentra, matched the description of a vehicle seen leaving the apartment complex, and he was pulled over by Shelbyville police officers Lt. Jason Williams and Sgt. James Wilkerson, who discovered a Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol in Niles' possession.

Detective Brian Crews said that Niles stated he had a firearm, but that officers had no idea he was the suspect in the murder.

Crews said that Niles claimed that he and his wife "had been into it and he went into the country to fire some shots off." However, when officers began questioning him, Niles invoked his right to an attorney.

Detective Charles Merlo said Tuesday morning that since Niles asked for a lawyer, they have not been able to question him.

Members of the public defender's office also had a couple of closed door meetings with Niles at the courthouse Tuesday morning.

Parker was shot in the apartment complex's parking lot as she exited her vehicle, Crews said.

Her body lay in front of her car next to a sidewalk bordering the parking lot, approximately 10 feet from the front door of her apartment.

Crews explained that Niles is married to another woman, and has never been married to Parker. There is also no record of any domestic violence calls involving Niles and Parker, Crews said.

-- David Melson contributed to this report.