Convicted killer of former York mayor files appeal

After nine extensions granted by the court, convicted killer Julia Phillips has filed an appeals claim in trying to get her 2013 conviction for killing longtime boyfriend and former York Mayor Melvin Roberts overturned.

Phillips, 70, claims in her appeal prosecutors did not have enough evidence to convict her.

Phillips was convicted by a jury in September 2013 on accessory to murder for plotting the Feb. 4, 2010, strangling death of Roberts, 79, outside his York home.

Roberts, a lawyer for 55 years, was also shot at and hit over the head. Police and prosecutors say that Phillips lied about being a victim of a crime that same night as Roberts’ death and gave police fake statements about being robbed by a black or Hispanic attacker.

Prosecutors said the motive for the crime was money. Roberts, in the relationship with Phillips for 10 years, was going to cut off money to Phillips, who had a prescription drug problem and was close to penniless.

The other person or persons that police and prosecutors say was involved in the crime has never been identified. Roberts’ family has offered a $10,000 reward for conviction of the accomplice.

David Roberts, one of Melvin Roberts’ two sons, said he was told by state officials that the appeal was filed and has full faith that Phillips’ conviction will stand.

The appeal documents were filed March 12, according to the S.C. Court of Appeals website. The S.C. Attorney General’s Office will have weeks to respond and fight Phillips’ claim.

This story was originally published March 23, 2015 at 10:06 AM with the headline "Convicted killer of former York mayor files appeal."