Judge refuses bond for accused killer, awaiting second trial for leaving woman in roadway
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Tim Healy has sat through multiple bond hearings, and even part of a trial, for the man accused of killing his daughter. Now he’ll have to sit through another after a mistrial was declared last month in the trial of Antoine Phillips.
During a hearing Wednesday, a judge refused to allow bond for Phillips.
Back in May of 2021, Jamie Fulton died after she was hit by at least six cars while lying in the roadway at the intersection of Westerville and Morse Roads. Prosecutors said Phillips beat the woman and dragged her body into the roadway, leaving her unconscious to be hit.
Last year, family members protested when a judge said he was forced to allow a low bond for Phillips. Judge Michael Holbrook then reversed himself and ordered Phillips to be held without bond.
Earlier this month, Phillips was on trial for Fulton’s murder, when, due to a prosecution error, a mistrial was declared.
On Wednesday, Phillips again asked to be released on bond, this time addressing the judge directly, saying he has changed, and asserting his innocence.
“I will not stand before you and take responsibility for the death of someone I loved, my family loved, her family loved,” he said. Phillips said he did not physically kill the woman.
Holbrook was unmoved and cited surveillance tape that caught some of the actions leading up to Fulton’s death.
That was one of the most callous things I’ve ever seen on video,”
Holbrook said he stood by his earlier decision to hold Phillips without bond.
Healy, the victim’s father, called Phillips a public menace.
“Every time he’s been out on bond, he’s hurt somebody, he’s done something,” Healy said.
At the time of Fulton's death, Phillips was out on bond for a 2018 rape case.
Healy said he’ll sit through another trial later this year.
“Kind of want it to be over and (there to be) justice, but we do what we’ve got to do to make sure it gets done and gets done right,” he said.
