$5M bail set for Lakewood man in ex-wife's slaying at church couples' counseling

Carol Parsons knew her ex-husband was devastated by their divorce last year.

She knew he was holding out hope that they could get back together, said her brother, Howard Hales. She loved him, she told her family members, and always would, but she had made plans to move on with her life without him.

To help him "get closure and find some peace," she'd suggested they attend couples' counseling at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Federal Way, where her mother ran a preschool day care, according to Hales. They also needed to get along for the sake of their three young children, he said.

But on Wednesday evening, during a counseling session with a church therapist, Charles "Chuck" L. Parson, 42, fatally shot his ex-wife before walking outside and surrendering to police, Federal Way police say.

According to a document of probable cause released by King County prosecutors, Charles Parsons stood up as if he was going to leave the room during the session. Instead, he turned and pointed a handgun at his 38-year-old ex-wife. When she began to scream, he pointed the gun at the therapist and warned him not to move, police said in court documents.

He then fired the gun, striking Carol Parsons at least three times, court documents allege.

Parsons then left the church, called 911 and told emergency dispatchers what he'd done, police said.

He placed the gun on the hood of his truck, then lay down on the ground until police arrived, according to police.

On Thursday, a King County District Court judge set bail at $5 million for Parsons, of Lakewood, Pierce County.

The judge said Parsons, who was reported by a defense attorney to be "extremely emotionally upset," was a high risk for flight because of the long prison sentence he could face if convicted.

He is now being held in King County Jail on investigation of first-degree murder and first-degree assault. Prosecutors have until Monday to file charges against him.

Lori Cornell, pastor of the Calvary Lutheran Church, issued a statement Thursday that expressed the church's "deep concern for all those involved and affected by the tragic event in the counseling office."

Hales said his sister, a graduate of Kennedy High School in Burien, met her ex-husband while they were in their 20s, perhaps while Parsons' band was playing at a party.

They'd been married for about 12 years and had three children: an 11-year-old girl and two boys, 9 and 5.

According to Hales, his sister was a stay-at-home mom during the week and a paid caregiver on the weekends.

While Parsons was not physically violent toward her, Hales said he was at times "possessive and overbearing," calling her at all hours to check on her whereabouts.

"It became difficult for her to live like that, 24 hours a day, seven days a week," Hales said. "She was pretty worn down emotionally."

Hales said Charles Parsons had been making a living doing small-engine and appliance repairs. Carol Parsons was about to graduate from school with a degree in a health-care-related field.

Hales said the Parsons children are staying with family members and he's not sure if they fully understand what's happened yet.

"As bad as we are hurting for my sister and ourselves, we are just heartbroken that the kids have lost their parents," he said.

"The 9-year-old is already asking if they can see their dad. They love him. They don't harbor any hate. We are hurt for everybody involved."

Seattle Times news researcher Miyoko Wolf contributed to this report.

Christine Clarridge: 206-464-8983 or cclarridge@seattletimes.com