Opening arguments set Thursday in murder trial
Opening arguments will begin Thursday at 1 p.m. in the murder case against Jesse L. Phillips.
Phillips is accused of murdering his 23-year-old wife Erica Carmen Phillips, who was pregnant at the time of her death. The incident happened at a Warrenton car wash in February 2009.
Marshall County District Judge Tim Riley has been appointed a special circuit judge to preside over the trial which Marshall said is expected to be the first of its kind where the Brody Bill is applied.
“I’m not aware of this law being applied in any courtroom to this point,” said Marshall County District Attorney Steve Marshall.
Jesse Phillips is charged with capital murder under the Brody Bill, a law that allows prosecution of anyone who assaults or murders a pregnant woman on behalf of the unborn child.
The Brody Bill is in memory of Brody Parker, the unborn child of Albertville resident Brandy Parker, a woman who was eight months pregnant when she was shot and killed in July 2005.
Jury selection is anticipated to end Thursday morning. The process, which began Monday, is lengthy because the trial is a capital murder trial where the death penalty could be applied, Marshall said.
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