A convicted double-murderer has been freed in Mississippi following a decision by the state’s parole board.
Lamar Phillips, the man convicted of killing former Millsaps football student Bradley Dew in June 1992, has been released from prison after spending more than 30 years behind bars. Phillips and cohort Cedric Morris are accused of swapping a pistol and firing multiple rounds at Dew’s vehicle while the Millsaps honors student from Tennessee was heading home from his late night shift at the Mosquito Grill.
The perpetrator reportedly blamed alcohol, marijuana, and rap music for his role in the college student’s death. He was also convicted of killing another individual mere days after taking Dew’s life.
Though current state law prohibits individuals convicted of first-degree, second-degree, or capital murder from being eligible for parole, the statute only applies to those who took another’s life after June 30, 1995. This means Phillips, who was convicted in 1993, was eligible for parole 10 years into his sentence. From there, he had a parole hearing every year and a half.
“I’m horrified. I’m just horrified. It was as senseless a murder as I’ve ever dealt with. The victim was a remarkable young man. It was cruel, it was evil,” former Hinds County Assistant District Attorney Cynthia Speetjens told Jackson Jambalaya. “I just can not fathom what could have caused anyone to think Lamar Phillips was worthy [of parole]. I don’t know how this guy should be paroled.”
The Mississippi Parole Board has not responded to a request for comment from SuperTalk Mississippi News regarding its decision to allow Phillips to be paroled. However, this is not the first time a controversial parole decision was made.
Two years ago, a parole board vote freed now-deceased James Williams, a man who dismembered his father and stepmother back in 2002. Despite requests from the victims’ family members, a former prosecutor, and nearly 30 House members to reverse its decision, the parole board did not budge. Williams passed away in February during a car crash in Rankin County.
Gov. Tate Reeves called on lawmakers to pass legislation reforming the way the parole board operates back in December, but no meaningful changes were enacted during this year’s regular session.
