NASHUA – Two days after domestic violence suspect Jessica Parker’s intense coughing fit prompted a Superior Court judge to halt Parker’s bail hearing and have her transported to the hospital, Parker returned to court Wednesday and promptly expressed to the judge how important it is she be allowed to access her medication and treatments for her various ailments.

“My health is deteriorating … and it’s scaring me,” Parker told Judge Charles Temple.

Added one of her attorneys, Daniel Donadio: “She’s got a number of physical health issues … she was just recently discharged from the hospital, and she hasn’t been receiving her medications in jail,” Donadio said.

Parker, 35, of 53 Harbor Ave., is facing a series of charges accusing her of violently attacking a “female known to her,” police said in their reports.

They include two counts of second-degree assault – domestic violence, and one count of criminal threatening – domestic violence, all Class B felonies; and two counts of domestic violence – simple assault, and one count each of criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest or detention, and false imprisonment – domestic violence, all Class A misdemeanors.

Temple would ultimately order Parker held on preventive detention, citing Parker’s significant criminal history and the nature of the allegations police detailed in their reports.

She is ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim, who is believed to be a household member, and stay at least 300 feet from her.

Temple, who said he is concerned about Parker getting the treatment she needs while in jail, scheduled a series of 30-day reviews “to make sure she’s getting the medication and treatment she needs” while behind bars.

Also concerning are the allegations lodged against Parker, the result of a Sunday domestic altercation at the Harbor Avenue residence.

A neighbor who called police told them she heard loud noises coming from the apartment, which she said “sounded like people wrestling.”

Parker, according to police reports, allegedly went after the alleged victim with a hammer, telling her she “will get her with it.”

The alleged victim told police Parker pulled out clumps of her hair, evidence of which police said they located in the residence. Parker is also accused of strangling the woman on two occasions – which, police said, she denied.

Officers took Parker into custody, police said, but while they were escorting her to a cruiser for transport to police headquarters she allegedly shouted “rape” several times despite being told to stop, police said.

She also allegedly accused the alleged victim of attacking her, police said.

In a brief interview at headquarters, police said Parker “denied any wrongdoing” then asked to terminate the interview.

At Wednesday’s bail hearing, Assistant County Attorney Cassie Devine told the court Parker has “a lengthy record” that includes serving time at New Hampshire State Prison for Women.

Devine said she counted 18 prior convictions, a mix of felonies and misdemeanors. Parker also has “multiple suspended sentences” pending at the district court level, Devine said.

Donadio, meanwhile, said Parker has been engaged with Greater Nashua Mental Health and its mental health court program, which she will continue if she is granted personal recognizance bail.

Parker “has quite a different version of what happened,” and “denies police statements” in their reports, Donadio added.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256, or at dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

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