Knoxville Man Accused of Killing Man, Kidnapping Woman for Days, Sentenced to Decades in Prison

Joe Whitaker, 57 (Courtesy: KPD)

Knoxville Man Accused of Killing Man, Kidnapping Woman for Days, Sentenced to Decades in Prison

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Knoxville man accused of killing a man and kidnapping a woman for days is sentenced to decades in prison.

Knoxville police say in February of 2023 57-year-old Joe Whitaker left his job at Café 4 in Market Square with a kitchen knife, telling his boss he was going home “to hurt someone.”

The threat prompted a series of wellness checks that, days later, led to the discovery of 76-year-old Julius Parker’s body at a home on Bellevue Street.

After his arrest, police say Whitaker admitted to killing Parker. Another victim — a woman — told police he had kept her hostage at gunpoint for days, raping her multiple times.

Whitaker pleaded guilty to second degree murder and will face 23 years in prison.

Court records show that as part of Whitaker’s plea deal, he’s not facing sentencing for any of his charges other than second degree murder.

Joe Whitaker, 57 (Courtesy: KPD)

Headlines

What's happening

Pack the Bag 2025- Second Harvest Food Bank

Pack the Bag 2025- Second Harvest Food Bank

With your help, Second Harvest can supply a bag of nutritious food each week in the backpacks of 15,009 students in 296 public school campuses in our 18 county service area.