Prosecutor Wins Murder Conviction, Is Jailed for Contempt Over Trial Objections
After winning a second-degree murder conviction Wednesday against Tyrone Wells, lead prosecutor Eusi Phllips wound up in jail himself yesterday.
He was given a five-day contempt sentence by the Criminal District Court Judge Arthur Hunter for using “discourteous language toward the court” and “disorderly behavior toward the judge,” according to reports a local Fox News affiliate and the Times-Picayune.
The 31-year-old assistant Orleans Parish district attorney was released on a commercial surety bond after several hours and has said he plans to appeal the contempt case.
Phillips’ boss, Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro, defended Phillips and called his jailing over the objections he made at trial “just unfair,” “inappropriate” and “unconscionable,” according to the newspaper and the station.
A court spokeswoman to whom the judge referred the newspaper’s request for comment said Hunter’s order speaks for itself.
