ELIZABETH — An Elizabeth man charged with killing his wife earlier this month pleaded not guilty to the murder in his first court appearance this morning.
Reco Parks, 47, appeared in front of Judge Joan Robinson Gross in her courtroom located in the Union County Jail. Parks said only his name as he stood before the judge in a beige prison suit and handcuffs. His public defender entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.
Parks is charged with killing his wife Thya Wilson, 45. Wilson's body was found in the hallway outside of the couple's apartment on Jan. 6 in the Oakwood Plaza complex in Elizabeth.
A medical examiner said Wilson had been dead for several days, the result of blunt force trauma. Union County First Assistant Prosecutor Albert Cernadas Jr. said Wilson was killed inside her apartment and that her body was later moved into the hallway.
Family members of Thya Wilson attended the court appearance today, including Wilson's daughter Ayanah Wilson.
"He's where he should be now. But it was hard to hear him plead not guilty" Wilson said of Parks. "It makes it worse."
Wilson said her family is coping with the loss of her mother one day at a time. Hundreds of people turned out for a memorial service last week.
"My mother was a beautiful person, she felt this need to help anyone she met," Wilson said. "You should have seen how many people came to the church. The turning out of support has been amazing."
Parks is being held at the Union County jail in Elizabeth in lieu of $1.5 million in bail. A second court appearance has not been scheduled.
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