Murder, burglary among grand jury indictment cases

The Cole County Grand Jury handed down several indictments this week finding there was enough evidence to send the cases onto the circuit courts for possible trial.

Among those indicted was a Jefferson City man who fatally stabbed another man following a disturbance in February.

Michael Phillips, 52, is charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action.

Officers responded to Dulle-Hamilton Towers at 12 Jackson St., where they discovered Michael Taylor, the 46-year-old victim, suffering from stab wounds. He was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, where he later died.

Detectives reported the victim and suspect were at 12 Jackson St. to visit acquaintances. During the visit, an altercation between the two escalated, and Phillips is believed to have stabbed Taylor.

A Jefferson City Police Department probable cause statement shows Phillips was covered in blood when officers arrived on the scene and standing next to Taylor.

"I did it. I did it you got the right guy," Phillips told officers.

He admitted to stabbing Taylor in the neck with a pocket knife which was recovered.

One witness told police they heard an argument outside the towers and heard the attacker say, "You're dead now." Another witness said they heard the attacker say, "Don't die man. I'm sorry."

Another witness was in their apartment and heard someone call for 911. They then went downstairs and found Phillips standing with Taylor who was bleeding from the neck. The witness knew Phillips as "Little Mike," and when they asked what had happened, Phillips said, "I stabbed him."

Also indicted was a Jefferson City man facing charges in connection with a January burglary in the Capital City.

Douglas Smith, 29, is charged with first-degree burglary, armed criminal action and second-degree assault.

Smith entered the back door of a home in the 100 block of Forest Hill, where two people were inside, according to a Jefferson City Police Department probable cause statement.

Smith threatened the two with a metal ax and bayonet while yelling, "Get down; get down." He wore a mask and sunglasses, but the victims said they immediately knew who he was by recognizing his voice.

Smith and the victims got into a struggle, with the victims disarming Smith and fighting him off with a bat. His mask and sunglasses fell off during the struggle.

One victim suffered injuries to his face and mouth.

Court records show Smith is a known drug addict with a lengthy criminal history including numerous felony and misdemeanor drug charges.