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Woman Convicted Of Drunken Driving Murder Wants New TrialLori Phillips' attorney, Rex Butler, says anti-drunken driving ads biased juryRelated Content
ANCHORAGE—The 57-year-old Anchorage woman convicted of killing a young father while driving drunk wants a new trial. It's all because of a public service announcement against drunken driving featuring Forget Me Not spokesperson Nancy Bidwell, whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver.
It's a compelling story that Lori Phillips’ attorney Rex Butler says was really a subliminal message that gave his client an unfair trial and “poisoned” the jury. Butler said the PSA was aired on television more times than was necessary as Phillips stood trial for the drunken-driving second-degree murder of 23-year-old Louis Clement. “This particular ad aired over 1,400 times on 56 cable channels for two weeks,” Butler said. Bidwell also sat in the courtroom during the trial and, because of that, Butler said jurors had already made up their minds before hearing the facts. “You got these people sitting in the courtroom throughout the trial and then at night when you go home, you turn on television, there is no way to avoid that ad,” Butler said. Bidwell said her message had nothing to do with Phillips' trial. “Using my PSA as an excuse is ridiculous,” Bidwell said. “I’m really upset about it. It’s real important that these messages keep going, because for one thing we don't want the victims forgotten.” The state says Phillips was given her due process and a fair trial. “It’s our hope and expectation that the sentencing will take place,” said prosecutor Clint Campion. “We believe that the jurors were able to follow the instructions through the trial and did follow instructions and based their decision on the evidence presented in the trial.” As the PSA continues to air, whether it affects the outcome of a drunken driving trial remains to be seen. Bidwell says she and her husband were in the courtroom of the Phillips trial to give their support to the victim's family. The state says that is common with victim's advocates because trials are open to the public. This issue of a retrial will be argued on July 22 in front of Judge Philip Volland. Philips is facing anywhere between 10 to 99 years behind bars. |
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You Betcha said on Wednesday, Jul 20 at 10:10 PM
Don't let the truth get in the way of the defense.
71049107concerned said on Tuesday, Jul 19 at 2:01 PM
Let the sentence stand. She has a drinking problem and will kill again if she's not incarcerated.
70963212Jean said on Sunday, Jul 17 at 7:37 AM
Put the stinking drunk away for life. She is a habitual drinker and won't change.She "KILLED" A man, a father. No sympathy for drunks.You know before you drink what COULD happen, and she did it anyway.She has no excuse and her attorney is a fool for trying to get her a new trial. Bet if it was his child she killed, or his wife, he would sing a different tone , tune!!!
70832544Mike J. said on Saturday, Jul 16 at 8:13 PM
Isn't this already her 4th or 5th arrest for DUI? She was waiting for her 4th trial when she got nailed this 5th time. Isn't she already getting a free-bee cuz she never got sentenced for he 4th charge, and was once again a repeat offender. Thinking she already got enough special deals.
70819596death from above said on Friday, Jul 15 at 3:23 PM
Rex Butler needs to be put on a slow boat to nowhere and disbarred. And the client put to death.The legal system let this thing out before and she killed just the same as her walking up to someone and putting a bullit in their head.Its to bad we don't have stocks and public executions any more
70773024K said on Friday, Jul 15 at 2:58 PM
Mr. Butler is just doing his job is ensure that the woman has all the legal rights to which she is entitled. He should not be criticized. The Court will decide, rightly or wrongly, whether a new trial is warranted.
70772244mntnmatt36 said on Friday, Jul 15 at 1:35 PM
I flush better things down the toilet than Rex Butler and his clients! Rex, you are defending a person that has absolutely zero concerne for anyone other than herself. Lori Phillips should be locked up!
70768481Andrew said on Friday, Jul 15 at 1:03 PM
Premeditated murder. God have mercy.
70767049j.l. said on Friday, Jul 15 at 12:56 PM
lori phillips DOES NOT deserve a new trial. she had her chance and she blew it. NO MORE!!!
70766762Enough already said on Friday, Jul 15 at 12:18 PM
No - simple as that. She had her trial and found guilty of taking another human life due to her inability to use good sense and judgement and not get behind the wheel when she was beyond drunk, and not the first time either. Lock her up and stop wasting tax payer money.
70764669zokor59 said on Friday, Jul 15 at 11:57 AM
Unbelievable! So, this woman gets behind the wheel of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol making the choice to drive impaired and takes the life of another human being. Then her and her lawyer want to cry fowl because, jurors may, or may not have watched the PSA on television. I didn't think jurors were allowed to participate in any activity that might influence their ability to make a fair decision as a juror. Am I wrong, has it changed? There is a reason why we have PSA's and that is to educate the public trying to prevent this from happening. From what I have read, it doesn't sound as if this was the first time she made a poor choice involving alcohol and driving. So, I say let justice prevail and give her some time to reflect on just how much pain she has not only caused for the victims family but, for her own family as well.
70763592Mike said on Friday, Jul 15 at 11:56 AM
I would guess the young man she killed would love a new chance at life too, but that won't happen. Drinking and driving just doesn't get it anymore. You have a larger problem than getting a new trial. You killed someone.
70763524JKL said on Friday, Jul 15 at 11:30 AM
This woman killed someone just as if She had a gun and shot them-it wasn't the first time she was driving after drinking. No matter what is on tv She did it and should pay-She has a drinking and lack of caring for anyone but Herself-she is evil and all the TV in the world wounldn't cure that. WE have had these ads for years and it hasn't changed here one bit-go to jail and do the time you should do enough is enough
70762218mikey372002 said on Friday, Jul 15 at 11:30 AM
Ohhhh rex butthead is now speaking for each juror on what they went home and watched on TV each day, MMM maybe they saw a murder and rape movie, or freddies back from the dead, does that make each juror think all people are this way, butthead get real you looser.
70762197mikey372002 said on Friday, Jul 15 at 11:25 AM
Hey rex butthead, she killed a person, gun or vehical, she killed a person, and you cant face the fact you lost in court, Or let me guess you might play the race card since you are a black lawyer, either way your still a looser in court. this drunk can live in jail, the person she killed cant live, its good to see people like Bidwell giving support for others in court, she has a great heart, as for the worthless drunk killer she has no heart, I hope the judge does the right thing and denies another worthless trial for a worthless cause.
70761892gec said on Friday, Jul 15 at 10:48 AM
and with the asking for a re-trial, is telling the younger generation that it is ok to be under the influence and get behind the wheels- why is she or her lawyer not thinking of this? And her lawyer should know that she has a big weakness- alcohol! While she's behind the bars-she 'has' the control of that weakness cuz she has no easy access. She's done it before , and once she gets out -what's the next excuse ?
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