Calif. Flasher Who Broke into Woman’s Home and Sucked on Her Toes Believed He Was a God
A 29-year-old man who snuck into a California woman’s home and sucked on her toes as she slept allegedly claimed he was a Greek god on a mission.
Richard Michael Parkhurst believed “he was a Zeus-like god who was sent down from the stars to seduce women,” his public defender, Robert Flory, wrote in a court document, reports Patch.com.
“It was his destiny to seduce women, and they would willingly have his children,” Parkhurst believed, according to the attorney. “Mr. Parkhurst believes that his progeny will create a super race that will save the planet.”
He pleaded not guilty to felony burglary related to the alleged incident in Seal Beach on Oct. 15, 2017, and to two additional unrelated charges of indecent exposure and a misdemeanor count of peeking through a mail slot.
Jurors in Orange County, California, disagreed, and convicted Parkhurst of those four charges on Feb. 20, reports Law&Crime.com.
They failed to reach a verdict on an additional felony charge alleging assault with the intent to commit a sex offense, which prosecutors later dismissed.
Parkhurst’s attorney blamed his client’s “delusion” on his failure to stop taking medication for schizophrenia after his girlfriend died and he lost his home, reports NBC Los Angeles.
Parkhurst “began hearing voices emanating from his television, telling him to do things,” the attorney wrote, according to the outlet.
Prosecutors say Parkhurst exposed himself on Oct. 15, 2017, to a woman who was out walking her dog in Seal Beach, initially remarking, “Nice dog,” and then adding, “I am walking mine, too,” according to court papers, reports NBC Los Angeles.
That same day he was accused of sneaking into the woman’s residence, according to Patch.com. “She was sleeping on her couch and woke up when she realized he was sucking on her toes,” prosecutors alleged.
He was linked to the crime by DNA evidence.
The next day, Oct. 16, Parkhurst stole a peek into another Seal Beach residence through a mail slot, which merits a criminal charge in California under a so-called “Peeping Tom” law, according to Law&Crime.com.
Arrested and taken into police custody, Parkhurst was seen touching himself while staring at a female guard in the Seal Beach jail, prosecutors said, reports Patch.com.
He currently is being held in the Orange County jail with no bond, and a scheduled April 5 sentencing date.
A call by PEOPLE to Parkhurst’s attorney was not immediately returned.