Phillip Brown
Phillip Brown, then and now.
Phillip Brown
Male/Black, 21 years old at the time
Victim: Sherry Bland
In Adair County in 2001, Phillip Brown beat a woman with a blunt instrument and stabbed her to death. After leaving the scene and interviewing witnesses it was learned that he stole a 27-inch color television.
On November 12, 2003 Brown was sentenced to Life without the Possibility of Parole for a period of 25 years on the charge of Murder, 15 years on the charge of first-degree Burglary, and 10 years on the first-degree Robbery charge.
However, the case was appealed and a change of venue was granted transferring the case from Adair Circuit Court to Warren Circuit Court.
On May 12, 2006 the jury returned the verdict of guilty on the charge of Murder and recommended Death. The jury returned a verdict of guilty on the charge of first-degree Burglary and recommended a sentence of 20 years. They also returned a guilty verdict on the charge of first-degree Robbery and recommended 25 years. The Burglary and Robbery charges were ordered to be served consecutively with each other.
On August 19, 2006, Brown was sentenced to Death for Murder. In addition, he was sentenced to 20 years for the Robbery and Burglary charges, to be served consecutively for a total of 40 years.
Additional facts about the case:
Aggravating circumstance which made this case eligible for the Death Penalty: murder which occurred during the commission of a burglary and robbery.
Length of appeal to date: 3 years.