Harrisburg woman pleads guilty to involvement in Bradford County killing

TOWANDA, Pa. ( WETM ) — A Harrisburg woman could face up to seven years in prison for her role in the death and dismemberment of a man in Springfield Township back in March , the Bradford County District Attorney’s Office said on Friday.

Summer Lynn Heil, 37, of Harrisburg, pleaded guilty on Thursday, Oct. 17, to one felony count in the third degree of hindering apprehension of prosecution. Documents allege that Heil assisted both Ronda and Terry Parker to help them avoid prosecution by covering up evidence of the killing of Michael Pruitt in Ronda Parker’s trailer home in Springfield Township.

Documents made clear that Heil was not involved in the killing of Pruitt, with prosecutors saying the evidence supports her claims.

Heil was originally charged with several misdemeanors in connection to Pruitt’s death, including the involvement in dismembering Pruitt’s body and assisting Ronda and Terry Parker in the burning of it to hide the crime. Documents state that those misdemeanors were dropped as part of the plea, with the felony charge being accepted.

“I am happy that Heil has taken responsibility for her actions by pleading guilty to the felony,” said Bradford County District Attorney, Richard Wilson, “which can result in up to seven years of incarceration in a state prison,” he said.

As part of Heil’s plea, she has agreed to provide truthful testimony against Ronda and Terry Parker in future proceedings. Documents state that Heil already provided valuable testimony when she said in court that she saw two revolvers at Terry Parker’s apartment in Harrisburg before the killing of Pruitt. Testimony from the preliminary hearing suggested that Pruitt was killed with antique revolvers that were found in Terry Parker’s apartment during a search warrant.

Prosecutors said that Heil has a scheduled sentencing date for December.

Heil is the first to plead guilty after all three were arrested in March for their involvement in Pruitt’s death. Prosecutors allege the Parkers of luring Pruitt to Ronda Parker’s home where he stayed for several days before Terry Parker arrived and shot Pruitt several times before his death. Attempts were made to hide the evidence and dispose of Pruitt’s body before police got word of what happened at the home.

18 News will continue to follow this case as it moves through the courts.

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