East Texas Man Indicted for Murder

UPSHUR COUNTY — Randell Jay Phillips, 42, of Big Sandy, was indicted following a 2016 DWI crash in which his 2-year-old grandson died. According to the Upshur County District Attorney’s Office, on October 29, 2016, Phillips, while intoxicated, was speeding on FM 49 with his grandson unrestrained in the front seat of the vehicle. Authorities say Phillips went off the roadway and hit a tree causing his grandson to be crushed underneath the dash. Before the fatal accident, Phillips had been convicted of two DWIs.

The Upshur County DA’s office says the law allows prosecution of murder if in the course of a felont, in this case felony DWI, the defendant commits an act clearly dangerous to human life that causes their death. Law enforcement says Phillips also has a prior conviction in Rusk County that will enhance his punishment range from five to 99 years, or life in prison, to a minimum sentence of 15 years tO life in prison. A warrant was issued Friday, March 3, 2017, and Phillips turned himself in to the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office. Phillips is being held in the Upshur County Jail on $100,000 bond.