Accused killer Donte Parker II charged with having makeshift knife in Lorain County Jail

An Elyria man being held in the Lorain County Jail on murder, robbery, assault, escape and other charges is again in trouble after corrections officers allegedly caught him with a makeshift knife in November. Jailed on $3.7 million bond, Donte J. Parker II, 24, is charged with possession of a deadly weapon while under detention, a first-degree felony. Parker pleaded not guilty to the new charge at his arraignment in Common Pleas Court. In the newest case, the Lorain County Prosecutor's Office said Parker was found with a makeshift knife, also called a "shiv," when he was searched at the Lorain County Jail on Nov. 14. The 6-inch blade was made of a piece of sharpened metal wrapped in fabric and was found in the waistband of Parker's underwear, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Chris Pierre said. A further search of Parker's cell turned up suspected marijuana, he said. Pierre said corrections staff had concerns about Parker's behavior, and he allegedly threatened them while in custody. A message seeking comment was left for Parker's attorney, Jason Harless. The charge is more serious because Parker is in custody awaiting trial on charges he shot and killed Leonard A. McCall Jr., 39, in front of a house on West 14th Street in Lorain on Nov. 25, 2024. Parker faces charges of aggravated murder, murder, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, felonious assault, tampering with evidence and weapons charges in McCall's killing, plus firearms specifications and misdemeanor theft and criminal damaging charges. He also is charged with felony aggravated robbery, kidnapping, strangulation, abduction and telecommunications fraud and misdemeanor assault, aggravated menacing and theft for an alleged attack on and threats to an Elyria woman in December 2024. Finally, Parker is charged with illegal gun possession, escape and obstruction for fleeing Elyria police following his arrest on Feb. 3, 2025. Parker managed to run away while handcuffed and evaded capture for nearly six months until he returned to Elyria and was re-arrested after trying to swim across the Black River. He has pleaded not guilty in all cases. The next pretrial hearing in the murder case is March 18 in Judge Raymond Ewers' court. Pretrial hearings in the other cases are April 1 in Ewers' court. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com