Sign In
Events
Newsletters
Search

Close

Close Search

Cancel

SEARCH
MY LAW.COMNEW

Phelps v. State

The defendant beat the victim to death with a rock and dragged his body into the woods where it was discovered a few weeks later.

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

William Herbert Phelps was convicted of malice murder and concealing a death in connection with the beating death of Jeffrey Valdez.1 Phelps appeals, contending that the evidence was insufficient. Because the record demonstrates that the evidence was sufficient, we affirm. The evidence at trial showed that Phelps and the victim went to a club on July 17, 1999. They returned to Phelps’s sister’s apartment, where they slept. The next day, Phelps told his sister that some money was missing from his pockets and he suspected that the victim had taken it. Phelps’s sister told Phelps he couldn’t fight the victim in her apartment. Phelps’s sister agreed to drive Phelps and the victim to another location so Phelps could confront the victim. The victim agreed to go for a ride, not knowing the purpose. The three drove around awhile, parked by a hunting preserve, and walked down a dirt path about a mile. Phelps took a rock and began beating the victim in the head, and continued to throw the rock at the victim’s head while the victim lay on the ground. Phelps searched the victim for the missing money and then dragged the body into the woods. Phelps’s sister testified that when they left the victim, he was still alive. Phelps and his sister returned to her apartment, drove the victim’s truck to a parking lot, and threw away his keys, wallet and pager. The victim’s extensively decomposed body was found a few weeks later.

1. Phelps argues on appeal that the evidence was insufficient to conclude that the beating was the sole proximate cause of the victim’s death. The medical examiner, however, testified that the cause of death was blunt force injuries to the head. After reviewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the jury’s determination of guilt, we conclude that any rational trier of fact could have found Phelps guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of malice murder and that the evidence was sufficient to exclude any other reasonable hypothesis.2

Trending Stories

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

LEARN MORE

More From ALM

Premium Subscription
With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Team Accounts
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Bundle Subscriptions
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
Go to CLE Center
Southeastern Legal Awards 2024
June 20, 2024
Atlanta, GA

The Daily Report is honoring those attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession.


Learn More
Legal Innovation Awards 2024
May 23, 2024
London

Celebrate outstanding achievement in law firms, chambers, in-house legal departments and alternative business structures.


Learn More
Consulting Top Consultants 2024
June 27, 2024
New York

Consulting Magazine identifies consultants that have the biggest impact on their clients, firms and the profession.


Learn More
Go to Events Go to Webcasts
ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY-PERTH AMBOY-NJ

Company Description CourtLaw Injury Lawyers is an established Personal Injury Law Firm with its primary office located in Perth Amboy, New J...


Apply Now ›
Bankruptcy Attorney - New York Metropolitan Area Lawyers

Black Owl Recruiting is looking for a number of qualified applicants to fill positions for a highly reputable client. Recent experience work...


Apply Now ›
ASSOCIATE ATTORNEYS

McManimon, Scotland & Baumann, LLC is seeking talented and motivated Associate Attorneys with 3-7 years of experience working closely wi...


Apply Now ›
Go to Lawjobs
Clifford Law Offices, PC
04/29/2024
The National Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
MELICK & PORTER, LLP
04/15/2024
Connecticut Law Tribune

MELICK & PORTER, LLP PROMOTES CONNECTICUT PARTNERS HOLLY ROGERS, STEVEN BANKS, and ALEXANDER AHRENS


View Announcement ›
Apruzzese, McDermott, Mastro & Murphy, P.C.
04/11/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
Go to Professional Announcements