Judge orders unsealing of arrest affidavit in Michelle Parker murder case

An Orange County judge ordered the arrest affidavit for Dale Smith Jr. to be unsealed and released to the public on Monday, October 26. Smith Jr. faces a second-degree murder charge in the disappearance of his ex-fiancée, Michelle Parker.

Judge Sonia McDowell issued the ruling during a morning court hearing. The decision overrides state prosecutors who argued the document should remain sealed. They warned that extensive news coverage could taint the potential jury pool for the trial.

Defense attorneys countered that Parker’s disappearance has been in the news for nearly 15 years. They maintained that the public already knows the basic facts of the case. Prosecutors also asked the judge to impose a gag order to prevent attorneys and law enforcement from discussing evidence in public.

It remains unclear exactly when the unsealed affidavit will be available to the public. Judge McDowell approved the release but did not specify a deadline for the documents to appear in the public record.

Parker vanished on November 17, 2011, after dropping her children off at Smith Jr.’s house. Police reported her missing after she failed to show up for a shift at a bar in Sanford. At the time, she and Smith Jr. shared two twin children. She also had another child from a previous relationship.

Her disappearance coincided with a national broadcast of The People's Court. The episode featured both Parker and Smith Jr., who sued her for $5,000 over an engagement ring. He claimed the ring was thrown over a hotel balcony during a fight. Smith Jr. was the last known person to see Parker alive.

Orlando police arrested Smith Jr. on October 14. Investigators said advancements in digital forensics allowed them to reexamine old data, leading to the arrest. Smith Jr. has maintained his innocence and denied any involvement in Parker’s disappearance.