Jefferson City man accused of killing girlfriend appears in court, next court date set
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
A man accused of killing his girlfriend appeared Tuesday at the Cole County Courthouse.
Joshua Wilbers, 23, is accused of shooting and killing Hallie Phillips, 20. He is charged with first-degree manslaughter and armed criminal action. He posted a $25,000 bond, which was set after Wilbers' attorney argued he is not a risk to the community or a flight risk.
His next court appearance will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 30. Discovery issues and forensic evidence backup was cited as the reason for the date.
Deputies were sent Nov. 27 to the 9000 block of Century Farms Road for a report of an accidental shooting, where they found Phillips injured. Phillips was lying on the ground unconscious outside the trailer the couple shared, according to a probable cause statement.
Wilbers told investigators that he was going outside to shoot his new .22-caliber rifle when it went off inside the house, hitting Phillips in the face, according to the statement. Wilbers carried her outside meaning to load her in a car and drive to the hospital but decided to call 911 instead, the statement says.
Evidence at the scene and home security video corroborated his story, according to the statement. Phillips died of her injuries Nov. 29 at University Hospital.
