GBI updates Phillips brothers’ charges

Published 3:06 pm Friday, March 5, 2021

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Brothers Troy and Brad Phillips, the two men accused of shooting Capt. Justin Bedwell, were denied bond in their first hearing on Tuesday morning.

Magistrate Judge Maggie Smith denied their bond due to the danger and risk the brothers pose to the community.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigations recently updated the charges the two men are facing.

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The Seminole County charges will include Aggravated Assault of a Peace Officer, Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon, Possession of Firearm During a Crime, Felony Fleeing and Attempting to Elude and Reckless Driving.

Their Decatur County charges will include Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault of a Peace Officer, Party to the crime of murder, attempted home invasion, two counts of aggravated assault for the two occupants inside the home they attempted to shoot their way into, Possession of a firearm by convicted felon, Possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

The murder case will now move forward in Superior Court.

If convicted, the two men could face life in prison or the death penalty.

District Attorney Joe Mullholland said he plans to meet with Bedwell’s wife, Katherine and Sheriff Wiley Griffin about what they would like to see if convicted.

Although premature, Mullholland said he does not plan to offer anything less than life without parole. He hopes to try the case within the year and be able to bring closure to Katherine and her family by January 2022.