TYLER, Texas — Smith County Clerk Karen Phillips pleaded not guilty Wednesday to accusations of interfering with her son's arrest in March 2023.
The trial for Karen Phillips, who is charged with interfering with public duties for her alleged involvement in a March 28, 2023 traffic stop, began Wednesday afternoon in Smith County Court at Law No. 2. The stop started when her son Derek Phillips confronted the deputy conducting the stop for another man, Cody Voss’, tail lights being out.
Documents allege Karen Phillips grabbed a sheriff's deputy and pushed another deputy as these officers tried to arrest her son after he ran into her home.
During opening statements, the prosecution called the stop performed on Voss’ vehicle a trap set up by Derek Phillips and Voss to start a confrontation with law enforcement.
The state said Voss and Derek Phillips provoked Deputy Jonathan Peters during the stop. Derek Phillips later ran into the Phillips' home and deputies went into the house to arrest him.
Prosecutors said Karen Phillips interjected herself into her son’s interaction with deputies. The state said she poked a deputy in the chest with her finger. Deputies had to tell her to get back.
After her son’s arrest, she asked deputies if she could be arrested for the interfering charge like Derek Phillips. She wasn’t arrested that night, but a warrant was issued a few days later.
In their opening statements, the defense said Karen Phillips never got involved with stopping Derek Phillips’ arrest. They argued Derek Phillips never invited deputies into the house.
Her lawyer said she was just trying to make sure Derek Phillips had his glasses while he was getting arrested in the home. The defense asked the jury to find Karen Phillips not guilty.
Peters testified his interaction with Voss and Derek Phillips during the traffic stop was not peaceful. He said it was argumentative and not safe for law enforcement. Derek Phillips interjected himself multiple times into the stop and made the focus be on him, Peters said. Body cam footage showed Karen Phillips came out of the house to ask what was happening.
Peters testified that her approach was not aggressive. After Derek Phillips ran into the house, Peters testified deputies had to order Karen Philips and Voss to back away while they tried to arrest Derek Phillips.
Peters testified Karen Phillips had to be slightly moved to get out of the room where Derek Phillips was arrested. He also said that she poked Peters’ vest at one point. Karen Phillips did impede deputies’ ability to arrest her son that night, Peters testified.
Outside of the house, she can later be heard asking a deputy if she could be charged with interfering with public duties as well. The state showed photos of Karen Phillips at the scene. Peters testified that she got between him and her son during the arrest in her home.
Peters agreed with the state that her involvement impeded Peters’ process of arresting Derek Phillips. Deputies had previously told Karen Phillips to get away from law enforcement and her son, Peters testified.
Before the trial started, Smith County Pct. 3 Commissioner Terry Phillips invoked his spousal privilege and elected to not testify in the trial. If there is a sentencing phase, Terry Phillips could be allowed to choose if he wants to testify in that part of the trial.
In March, Derek Phillips was convicted of interfering with public duties and resisting arrest. He was sentenced to 30 days in county jail and 18 months of probation with 100 community service hours.
The trial will resume Thursday morning.