Former NFL running back Lawrence Phillips being charged with murder in the death of his former cellmate is nearly a forgone conclusion. But new evidence filed Monday suggests that the prosecuting attorneys could be seeking a sentence much more serious than life in prison.
The judge presiding over the first-degree murder case granted a motion Monday that allowed the Kern County District Attorney’s office to reconsider whether it will seek the death penalty, according to USA TODAY Sports.
Prosecuting attorney Andi Bridges found what he believes to be new evidence against Phillips, prompting him to seek the motion to reconsider the previous potential sentence of life in prison without parole.
“We felt that the evidence supported a filing of a ‘lying in wait’ special circumstance,’’ Bridges told USA TODAY Sports.
Defense attorney Jesse Whitten, who is representing Phillips, explained the change of thought in the case.
“They thought there was evidence that Phillips gets his ways,’’ Whitten explained. “There’s not really any evidence to support that theory. But if that’s what they want to allege, they can do that.’’
Phillips currently is serving a 31-year sentence for driving his car into three teenagers and assaulting an ex-girlfriend. The 40-year-old was taken as the sixth overall pick in the 1996 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams.
Thumbnail photo via Anne Cusack/The Associated Press
