Death Penalty Case Ends in Acquittal

A 26-year-old man who faced the death penalty if convicted of the armed robbery and murder of a drug dealer was acquitted late last week. The man had been in jail since his arrest in January 2002.

“Justice moves slowly but surely,” said defense attorney Thomas Brandstrader.

The Accusations

Corey Phillips was accused of robbing and killing 32-year-old Wendell Whalen, a drug dealer to whom Phillips allegedly owed money. Witnesses testified that Phillips planned to rob Whalen and asked friends to act as lookouts.

One witness, Kevin Stewart, 21, told the court that he, Phillips, and two others went to Whalen’s apartment with the pretense of getting drugs. Several minutes after arriving two shots were fired and the four men fled, Stewart testified. 

Lack of Credible Witnesses

Brandstrader attacked the credibility of the witnesses, saying they all do drugs or deal them and all have criminal histories.

After a two-day trial and three hours of deliberation, a jury found Phillips not guilty. The jury forewoman cited a lack of sufficient credible evidence to issue a conviction.

Phillips was to be released last Thursday evening.

(Source: Chicago Tribune online)

Accused of a crime? Find a criminal law attorney near you to start planning your defense today.