Cole County man found guilty of manslaughter for killing girlfriend in 2022

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Joshua Wilbers has been found guilty of first-degree involuntary manslaughter in the death of his girlfriend.

Wilbers, of Jefferson City, was found guilty on Wednesday in a bench trial for shooting and killing Hallie Phillips, 20, in Nov. 2022. He will be sentenced on Oct. 1.

Wilber was initially charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action. He waived his right to a jury trial on July 11.

Wilbers allegedly 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 court documents in previous reporting. Wilbers carried her outside, meaning to load her in a car and drive to the hospital but decided to call 911 instead, the probable statement says.

The defense claimed the shooting was an accident and Wilbers did not know the gun was loaded because the ammunition clip was not in it. The bullet in the chamber of the gun was left there due to a malfunction with the gun not extracting it.

The prosecution claimed Wilbers had a history of using guns and was familiar with them and that he ignored stand safety protocols and resulting in Phillips death.

During closing statements on Tuesday, the prosecution asked the judge to consider second-degree involuntary manslaughter, if he was unable to find Wilbers guilty of first-degree beyond a reasonable doubt.

Hallie's mother Angie Phillips said the family got the result they hoped for.

"Our hope was that there would be some level of accountability for her death, that her life mattered and we we got the result that we wanted," Phillips said.

Angie Phillips also expressed her hopes for Hallie's case to bring awareness to others about gun safety.

"If you have a gun, you should understand gun safety, right and that you are responsible If someone pa... if you take another life," Phillips said.

Wilbers could face up to 15 years in prison.