Fansided

Former Nebraska running back Lawrence Phillips charged with murder

By Kyle Franzoni

Nov 15, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; A Nebraska Cornhuskers helmet sits on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 59-24. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; A Nebraska Cornhuskers helmet sits on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 59-24. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Troubled former college and NFL running back Lawrence Phillips could be facing murder charges while already serving jail time.

Former Nebraska Cornhuskers’ running back Lawrence Phillips, who also enjoyed a brief NFL career, is in trouble with the law again. This time, he didn’t even have to leave the comforts of his jail cell.

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According to CBS 12 in Miami, Phillips has officially been charged with the murder of his cell mate Damion Soward in April. After investigating the incident, officials were able to determine that Soward died of strangulation and Phillips remains the only suspect.

The latest charges are just another sad chapter in the life of Phillips, who was the sixth pick in the 1996 NFL Draft. The former running back has been plagued by legal issues since his college days at Nebraska and continued into his brief NFL career.

In 1995, Phillips was arrested for assaulting his ex-girlfriend Kate McEwen, who was a member of the Cornhuskers’ basketball team. In 2005, Phillips assaulted three teenagers by driving his car into them after a dispute arose during a pick-up basketball game. He was charged with assault with a deadly weapon in the case and was also charged with domestic violence stemming from another incident with another former girlfriend in the same year.

Currently, Phillips is lodged at Kern Valley State Prison in California, serving 10 years for the assault charge. Upon completion of that sentence, Phillips will serve an addition 25 years on the domestic assault charge.

According to UpRoxx, Phillips could see a maximum of 25 years from the murder charge if convicted. Given his current criminal record, the now 40-year-old will likely receive the maximum sentence and will never see the outside of a jail cell again.

Phillips played just three seasons in the NFL after being taken by the St. Louis Rams with the sixth pick of the 1996 draft. He would see action in just 35 games between the Rams, Miami Dolphins, and San Francisco 49ers, rushing 424 times for 1,453 yards and 14 touchdowns.

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