Courts Uphold Conviction In Braintree Axe Murder Case

BRAINTREE, MA — The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upheld the first degree murder conviction of a man prosecutors said killed his neighbor with an axe.

Prosecutors said Lucas Walters killed Jeffrey Phillips in July 2009. The incident happened at a multi-family unit on Middle Street where both men lived.

According to the Norfolk District Attorney's office, Walters asked Phillips for money, but Phillips refused because Walters was already in debt. This when Walters took and axe and repeatedly slashed Phillips until he died, according to prosecutors.

Police said Phillips' parents filed a missing persons report and Walters later admitted what he did to officers, though he claimed that he was struck first. According to prosecutors, Phillips also told police he hid Walters body in a shed for two days. He then Phillips' remains in a blue tarp and drove it to Southwick, where Walters had previously lived. Prosecutors said Walters used Phillips credit card to buy gasoline and cigarettes before the trip.

Prosecutors said Walters'actions also included breaking into the Phillip's apartment and stealing electronics and other items. Walters was also convicted of breaking and entering in the day time and larceny from a building.

Walters was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole in June 2013. Walters had appealed the case because his attorney argued he was denied of a pretrial motion to suppress evidence.

The Supreme Judicial Court ruled to affirm the conviction and saw no reason to reduce the verdict or order a new trial.

"We are relieved for the family and friends of the victim Jeffrey Phillips that the SJC has upheld this conviction as fair and sound," District Attorney Michael Morrissey said in a statement. "I should recognize the good work of Assistant District Attorney Pamela Alford, who handled the appeal, and the work of the Braintree police and Massachusetts State Police detectives who put assembled the strong body of evidence that led to this conviction."