New Orleans woman sentenced after pleading guilty to helping boyfriend escape after deadly America Street Fire
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Four days after changing her plea to guilty, the woman accused of helping her boyfriend escape after setting fire to a New Orleans East home that killed his children inside was sentenced to four years.
Shanyka Phillips withdrew her not-guilty plea on Monday, pleading guilty to two counts of accessory after the fact to first-degree murder.
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Judge Kimya Holmes has ordered the sentence to be served concurrently.
Holmes called this one of the most heinous crimes she has ever presided over before sentencing Phillips.
At least eight Orleans Parish deputies were present in the courtroom.
On the stand, Phillips apologized to the family of the three children killed.
Prior to the sentencing, Phillips’ attorney asked for leniency, arguing that Phillips was also a victim. Dr. Rae Taylor testified that Joesph Washington was physically and emotionally abusive to Phillips.
Taylor continued explaining Washington would have killed Phillips if she had not helped him escape after he burned down the home of the children’s mother.
The defense also stated Phillips’ parents would suffer as she is the caregiver.
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The family of the three young victims were not in the courtroom as they were asked to watch via Zoom due to Monday’s incident where Phillips was attacked in the courtroom.
The family showed up anyway and was turned away by bailiffs.
Washington is currently serving a life sentence for his involvement in the murders as well.
WGNO reached out to the family for comment on the sentencing but has not heard back.
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