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Suspected killer of Tarpon Springs police officer testifies in court

Marco Antonio Parilla Jr. took the stand Thursday afternoon, before a jury decides to sentence him to life in prison to the death penalty.
Credit: WTSP
Marco Parilla

The man charged with the 2014 killing Tarpon Springs police Officer Charles Kondek took the stand in a Pinellas County courtroom on Thursday.

Marco Antonio Parilla Jr., 27, shot Kondek seven times with a stolen .40-caliber Glock pistol on Dec. 21, 2014, after the 17-year Tarpon Spring police veteran responded toa nice complaint at the Glen's Eureka apartments at 199 Grand Boulevard.

Parilla pleaded guilty to first-degree murder late last year.

MORE: Suspect fatally shot officer then ran him over

"I'm truly, honestly sorry for what I've done to cause pain and hurt in your life, " Parilla said to Kondek's wife in court on Thursday.

Opening statements were presented to 14 jurors on March 15, as both the prosecution and defense team recalled events before, during and after the fatal shooting.

Parilla, who has been convicted of 11 felonies in the past, was released from prison only nine months before he killed Kondek.

After the shooting, Parilla told detectives he didn't want to return to prison.

The trial is expected to wrap-up on Friday.

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