Officials say the men were charged after an investigation into double murder suspect Parker, who is also said to be a Columbia area bookie.
/ FILE
COLUMBIA (WACH / AP) - The Federal Grand Jury in Columbia returned indictments against three Midlands men Tuesday in connection with an illegal gambling business.
United States Attorney Bill Nettles says Brett Parker, 42, of Irmo, Jack Parker, 71, of Chapin and Douglas Taylor, 60 of Leesville were charged in a one-count indictment Tuesday.
Officials say the men were charged after an investigation into double murder suspect Parker, who is also said to be a Columbia area bookie. Parker is accused of shooting and killing his wife Tammy and family friend Capnerhurst in his Ascot Estates home last April.
Authorities say parker and Capnerhurst were partners in a sports gambling operation.
Parker's attorneys say he shot Capnerhurst in self-defense, after Capnerhurst came to collect money from their gambling operation.
Investigators have said parker killed the pair to cash in on an insurance policy on his wife.
Prosecutors say Parker was $600,000 in debt and had a $1 million insurance policy on his wife.
Authorities say the maximum penalty each could receive for the gambling charge is five years in jail.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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