After a weekend break, jurors resumed deliberations Monday morning in the murder trial of Joshua Phillips, accused in the shooting of Charleston police officer Cassie Johnson in December 2020. Monday marked the third day of deliberations and around midday the verdict came in. Jurors found Phillips guilty of the lesser charge of second-degree murder in the death of Charleston police officer Cassie Johnson.
Phillips originally had been charged with first-degree murder. The jury also found Phillips guilty of simple possession. He originally had been charged with possession with the intent to deliver Klonopin pills he allegedly purchased just before the shooting on Garrison Avenue. Phillips’ sentencing date will be set later.