Published: October 24, 2008 12:07 am         

Murder suspect transported in father’s handcuffs

When Frederick O. Phillips Jr. was returned to Cambria County, he appeared in court looking much like any murder suspect.

He wore an orange prison jumpsuit, handcuffs and leg shackles.

Phillips, 51, was arraigned Wednesday, accused of murdering his elderly mother, Anna Phillips of Upper Yoder Township.

But the cuffs and shackles he wore tell their own story.

They once belonged to Frederick Phillips Sr., a longtime constable who died in 2001. Kept in storage since then, the irons were used for the last time on Thursday.

“I think it was only fitting that he be transported in his father’s handcuffs and shackles,” township police Chief Walter Howell said. Phillips Jr. was informed he was wearing his father’s handcuffs, Howell said.

The police chief said the equipment was given to him by Anna Phillips and kept in an old athletic sock.

Howell said he is speaking with Phillips’ family about having the cuffs and shackles placed in the casket when she is buried today in Grandview Cemetery.

A fitting gesture perhaps by Howell, who during his more than 30 years in law enforcement became a close friend of Anna and Fred Sr.

“Anna gave me those after Fred died; I was a patrolman at the time,” said Howell, 57. “I was going to turn them in to the department, but she said, ‘No, keep this for yourself.’ ”

Police believe Frederick Phillips Jr. strangled his 85-year-old mother in her Menoher Boulevard home sometime between Oct. 4 and Oct. 16 and dumped her body off state Route 271 on state game lands in Fairfield Township, Westmoreland County. Her body was recovered Sunday just west of the Cambria County line.

Phillips fled to West Virginia, where authorities there said he rolled his truck early on Oct. 16, scattering $15,000 in cash along the highway. A loaded .22-caliber pistol was recovered from the truck, which was totaled in the crash.

Police are attempting to determine to whom the money and gun belonged.

Phillips was charged with criminal homicide, murder and aggravated assault. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 12 before District Judge John Barron of Upper Yoder Township.

If the handcuffs and shackles are not buried with Anna Phillips, they will be melted down, Howell said.

“This was the last time they will ever be used,” he said.

     

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