Will Phillips' pregnancy affect her trial?

by Leanne Tokars (lmtokars@wsbt.com)

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Will Phillips' pregnancy affect her trial?

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Jun 29, 2007 at 2:53 PM EST

Story Updated: Feb 26, 2008 at 6:18 PM EST

LaPORTE CO. — She's charged with murder and neglect in the death of a newborn found near her LaPorte County home last March. For the first time, the prosecutor talked publicly about the case against Kathy Phillips. Will the shape of Phillips' new belly shape the outcome of her trial?

Looking at Kathy Phillips now — it makes you wonder if she could hide a pregnancy for nine months.

“It's impossible to say that this kid came from her,” Garry Phillips, Kathy’s husband, told WSBT News. “They know she wasn't pregnant. They know this.”

And her husband says they have pictures and video to prove it.

But police say they have DNA evidence, and it shows Phillips and her husband are the parents of Baby Jane Doe — a newborn found dead more than a year ago, wrapped in a plastic bag, in a field near their LaPorte County home.

"We've asked for the DNA and they still won't turn it over or nothing,” said Garry.

But LaPorte County Prosecutor Robert Beckman says it's all there.

What about the fact that Phillips is now visibly pregnant?

“I would have no idea if that would have an impact or not,” Beckman said. “I guess we'll have to await the resolution of the case and see."

But Beckman points out that the trial concerns what happened more than a year and a half ago — not the pregnancy now.

“That is when the conduct occurred,” said Beckman. “What's transpired from then to now really has no relevance to innocence or guilt.”

“We got this baby on the way,” Garry told WSBT News. “I just wish they'd start letting us enjoy our life and they go after the right person."

Phillips was supposed to appear with her new lawyer Friday, but told the judge he had another commitment. Her previous attorney had requested a change of venue. Friday, Phillips told the judge she thinks that will still be the case.

At this time her trial is set for October.

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