NY - Garrett Phillips, 12, murdered in his Potsdam home, 24 Oct 2011

[vatzjr]

So, I did a deep-dive ... I have questions ...

From pre-trial reports, I've read neighbour Marissa Hall (college student watching Dexter with her boyfriend) heard a "click" of the door-lock after she knocked on Garrett's residence. I can't find her actual court testimony, but what I can find of its reporting makes no mention of this door lock "click." Seems like it would be a major detail in that day's reporting, no?

Also, do we know the sounds Officer Wentworth heard were from another person, or could they have been Garrett himself trying to lift his body up before collapsing?

One more question, I found a timeline that mentions NH called his attorney Mani Tafari (who is featured in the 2-part HBO doco) within the hour of Garrett's death:

https://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/ricetimelineb.jpg

It's corroborated here (info source unknown):

Potsdam’s Nightmare: What Happened to Garrett Phillips?

Can we take that for fact? If so, why? Would it would be inadmissible in court due to client/attorney privilege? Anything to make out of that call, if true?

The reason Mary Rain had her law license suspended for 2 years is supposedly connected to the witness in this case. The eye witness gave a statement that he saw NH at 5.10 jumping from the window wearing latex gloves. I do not want to violate TOS my lining it here but it’s available if you search online.

Hmmn. My understanding is that her license was suspended based on pattern of behaviours related to multiple cases. In terms of NH's case, I know she violated "The Brady Rule," in regards to Gregory Brown's statement that he saw John Jones walk into 100 Market St fifteen minutes before Garrett's murder. Technicality required her to share this with defence, even though--if I understand correctly--she knew hospital video evidence proved it false and rendered it irrelevant.

But, I also found that she "consciously disregarded" a witnesses' attorney request whilst being investigated:

Where Is District Attorney Mary Rain From 'Who Killed Garrett Phillips?' Now? | Oxygen Official Site

Is this what you're talking about? I did some research and found a person who claims to be an eyewitness. But, I don't know how seriously to take them. I can't find proper record of their police statement. I don't know why they were never called to be a witness (which suggests credibility issues). I also don't understand if they saw what they claim they saw, why they didn't mention this to the two people right in front of them as it was happening (again, credibility issues).

And, if they were "consciously disregarded," does that mean they were investigated? Why would they be "investigated" if they are just making an eyewitness statement? And why would their attorney request be disregarded?

Does anyone have a link to the testimonies? Or are they sealed/unavailable?

For what has transpired, I'm surprised this nine-year-old thread doesn't have more activity.

 

[gogrannypop]

Hillary lawsuit against Potsdam starts Monday​

Hillary lawsuit against Potsdam starts Monday

Jury selection is set to begin at 9:30 AM, in a federal courtroom in Albany.

www.wwnytv.com

 

[wrytergirl]

Hillary lost his case and filed an appeal

Nick Hillary appeals his civil suit against Potsdam police

Nick Hillary is appealing his civil lawsuit against the Potsdam police. The former soccer coach claimed in court the police wrongfully detained him when they were investigating the murder of 12 year-old Garrett Phillips in 2011.

www.northcountrypublicradio.org

 

[djtopcat]

I would be curious to know what Hillary's childhood was like in Jamaica?
There's something very off about him.
He is just too calm, no emotion. He comes across to me as a very narcissistic person. Maybe even a psychopath.
Now before someone comments that he coaches kids, all of his friends supports him etc etc. Pathological narcissists get ego supply from helping others as long as they are acknowledged, and are expert manipulators. Plus he has the ability to pull the race card as a victim if all else fails. No wonder he never broke a sweat.
The circumstantial evidence is very damning in my opinion, but just not quite enough.
1. He had motive to be angry with her son, because he was driving a wedge between them and the control he had over Tandy in their relationship.
2. He's clearly seen on video taking a left out of the school parking lot shortly after Garrett is seen skating by. Yet in his original statements he said he went straight home to his daughter (right turn)
3. He bailed out the back window because the neighbor put him in a panic when she knocked on the door. I think he killed Garrett in a purely impulsive act of narcissistic rage. Also he is an athlete, so a two story jump down is more doable for him than the average person. Yet the police photos do show a clearly swollen ankle with abrasions consistent with impact damage from a bad fall.
My biggest question is did the Potsdam police ever put the DNA collected from the window through public databases? Of course a lot of people could of touched the window. If Hillary was wearing gloves he wouldn't have left anything traceable.

 

[ilovewings]

I am watching this case and say only one thing: How stupid was Mr. Hilary's attorney to let him go forward on a civil case when he is the suspect in Garrett's murder. If that is not legal malpractice I don't know what is. I do not know if Mr. Hilary murdered this child, but to me, the prosecution did not prove it--- I can see why he was acquitted.
I don't think they ever looked at any other suspect so my only conclusion that they went after him due to his race. To top it off there was not a scintilla of evidence against Mr. Hilary-- Frankly, I am appalled they brought this case at all. it disgusts me.

 

[Lucyblu37]

Bit late to the feed on this one as I’ve only just watched the documentary on a sky crime. But so many questions!
1. They seemed to imply, when questioning Nick Hillary, that Garret had said something to them when he was found. Do we know if he did or was that just a way to try to make Nick Hillary think they knew something?
2.Also, given the time Garret got in to the flat, and how quickly the neighbours heard a noise, that someone may have already been in there and was perhaps startled and panicked.
3 If the neighbour said she heard the door click, as if it was being locked, does that imply it was unlocked beforehand? Did people have a tendency to leave the internal doors unlocked so someone could tailgate or just get in?
Given the mess they seemed to make of the investigation doesn’t surprise me that they have no DNA. Did they even look for it in the flat.
Hope the family find answers. The right ones!

 

[Jovial]

I was just able to watch the full documentary on this sweet boy. I have dug deep and have read many theories. I do not think there is any way Oral Nick Hillary could have done the crime. what do you all think at this point? this is still an opened case. a new DA is in place. Let's bring this back to life for Garrett.

 

[Jovial]

Bit late to the feed on this one as I’ve only just watched the documentary on a sky crime. But so many questions!
1. They seemed to imply, when questioning Nick Hillary, that Garret had said something to them when he was found. Do we know if he did or was that just a way to try to make Nick Hillary think they knew something?
2.Also, given the time Garret got in to the flat, and how quickly the neighbours heard a noise, that someone may have already been in there and was perhaps startled and panicked.
3 If the neighbour said she heard the door click, as if it was being locked, does that imply it was unlocked beforehand? Did people have a tendency to leave the internal doors unlocked so someone could tailgate or just get in?
Given the mess they seemed to make of the investigation doesn’t surprise me that they have no DNA. Did they even look for it in the flat.
Hope the family find answers. The right ones!

I spent all weekend watching the documentary and googling all the info by reporters. I was on reddit and read all the comments and on reddit there was a guy that said he was a reporter who interviewed the the brother of Tandy multiple times. He could never get a valid reason why he and Tandy suspected Nick Hillary.

1. I have never read anything that Garrett said anything to anyone when he was found.
2. IMO, someone was absolutely in the apartment when Garrett arrived in the apartment after school.
3. Police were knocking at the door, heard footsteps, then footsteps stopped. the theory is that someone went out the back window and the screen was kicked out. the 2 people behind the building fixing their car went into their apt at 5:20pm. the screen wasn't seen opened until after 5:20pm.

One of the people stating they were fixing their car in the back, was contacted by someone and asked what they saw. they apparently saw a 'black man, so dark in color they couldn't see a face', but the women he was with says, they never saw anything.

I am torn by Hillary being accused and other suspects that also should have been looked at. Until I see the police reports and evidence that was shown in court or information stating information was not shown in court for whatever reason, I cannot say that Hillary was the one or if there are others that are suspect.

I have never been to this town, but what has been communicated is that this town was racist and did not have an African American population. I have no proof if that is the case or hearsay.

I am digging deeper on this one. a 12 year old precious boy, rode his ripstick home from school. He went home. His neighbors made a call. He is dead. who in the world is so insecure of a 12 year old boy, that they kill them? who has a gain from this horrific act? I think there is more to this, than we all know. But, Garrett, deserves justice. That. I know.