April, 27 2021
By News Director Jared Atha
A Weatherford man charged with first degree murder saw his bench trial begin in Custer County District Court on Monday.
22-year-old Cole Isaac Phillips was arrested on April 4th, 2020 when he allegedly shot and killed another man in a home in the 700 block of East College Street in Weatherford.
Phillips would tell a judge during his preliminary hearing in November that he shot the man while acting in self-defense. His attorney’s would file a motion claiming immunity in the case, based on that claim. However District Attorney Angela Marsee responded by pointing out that based on witness testimony, including one given by an Oklahoma State Bureau Investigator, based on the trajectory of the shots, and the time between the two shots – which were determined to be anywhere between 5-10 seconds, the motion should be denied. The judge would later concur, citing the evidence presented.
Prior to the beginning of Monday’s proceedings, Phillips waived his right to a jury trial.
The incident took place when, according to the Weatherford Police Department, Phillips shot the victim after they had been in an argument. Police were dispatched to the location after the reporting person, later identified as being Phillips, allegedly had told a 911 operator that he had shot his friend. According to officials, when police arrived they found the victim had suffered gunshot wounds to his torso and his head. The victim had already succumbed to the shooting wounds when he was found.
