TYLER, Texas — Editor's Note: The above video aired May 9, 2023.
Lawsuits associated with the Phillips' criminal cases could cost Smith County an estimated $300,000, Assistant District Attorney Thomas Wilson said Tuesday at the commissioners court meeting.
Wilson gave updates regarding litigation against the county from Smith County Clerk Karen Phillips, Derek Phillips, Cody Voss and Lance Phillips.
Last year, Karen Phillips filed a lawsuit seeking $10 million in damages and Derek Phillips and Cody Voss filed a lawsuit together seeking $150.5 million in connection with events surrounding a March 2023 traffic stop.
Wilson estimated the lawsuits and criminal cases related to Karen Phillips, Derek Phillips and Cody Voss have cost around $200,000, while claims from Lance Phillips could cost the county a total of $100,000.
In an update at Smith County Commissioners Court, Wilson told the court that the federal lawsuit from Derek Phillips was dismissed due to his conviction in March. Court records confirmed the judge did agree to dismiss the claims against the county made by Derek Phillips on May 14.
The lawsuits stem off a criminal case involving a March 28, 2023 traffic stop that began when Derek Phillips confronted the deputy conducting the stop regarding Cody Voss' tail lights being out. In March, Derek Phillips received 30 days in the county jail for interfering with public duties and resisting arrest.
Wilson said he expects that Karen Phillips' lawsuit, which has been on hold because of the criminal case, will be dismissed following her conviction. She was found guilty of interfering with her son Derek Phillips' arrest during the traffic stop. She is set to be sentenced on June 14.
"Based on the guilty finding by the jury, we do not anticipate this matter being moved any further in the federal court system," Wilson said.
Voss, who was charged with failure to identify and defective tail lights, has not had his lawsuit dismissed yet pending the resolution of his criminal case. Smith County judicial records show he pleaded no contest to having defective tail lights and his failure to identify charge was dismissed.
Voss offered to settle his lawsuit for $4 million, Wilson said.
Smith County County Judge Neal Franklin and the commissioners in attendance all said they were not interested in settling on any of these lawsuits and claims. Smith County Pct. 3 Commissioner Terry Phillips was not at the Tuesday meeting.
Wilson also said a Texas Association of Counties claim in connection with Lance Phillips has not been made yet, but it will be a new deductible that will require the county to use its $50,000 deductible before TAC gives any coverage. This means Smith County will have to pay $50,000 depending on how far the claim goes.
A previous TAC claim of $50,000 had already been made in connection with Lance Phillips.
Lance Phillips has pending charges of hindering proceedings by disorderly conduct and assault of a judge or peace officer in connection with accusations of disrupting Smith County Commissioners Court meetings, according to judicial records.