Oceanside man ordered to face trial in stabbing

Hunter Berger Parks told Oceanside police the voices in his head urged him to hurt someone.

He also told police that he had done just that, attacking a stranger as she carried a bag of groceries on a north Oceanside street. He told police he’d “hit” the woman about 15 times with a knife, according to testimony during a Superior Court hearing Wednesday.

Parks also spoke of murderers, and in particular mentioned serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer.

But then the 23-year-old Parks backpedaled, police Detective James Ferrer testified Wednesday. Parks told police his admission was all a lie.

The detective testified during a two-hour preliminary hearing for Parks, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of premeditated attempted murder and mayhem for the attack in northern Oceanside on June 20.

Vista Superior Court Judge Robert Kearney found sufficient evidence to order Parks — called Hunter Parks Berger in court documents — to trial. Parks faces up to life in prison if convicted.

Parks’ attorney, Deputy Public Defender Ricky Crawford, argued during the hearing that there were no witnesses and no direct evidence that his client was the assailant. He pointed out that no one saw Parks covered in blood, even though the attack had been quite bloody.

The attack happened about 8:30 p.m. on Roja Drive, a few blocks northwest of the intersection of North Redondo Road and Vandegrift Boulevard. Parks resided in a home on Macario Drive, an independent living facility about 100 yards from the crime scene.

Oceanside police Officer Andrew Davidson testified that he was the first to arrive at the crime scene and that the victim told him she did not know her assailant. “She just kept asking me ‘Why did he do this to me,’” Davidson said.

The 32-year-old victim was stabbed 20 times in the head, arms and hands in the random attack, her doctor told district attorney investigator Tom Greenstone.

Parks’ preliminary hearing was livestreamed on YouTube.