A preliminary hearing has been set for Cole Isaac Phillips, who face a charge of first-degree murder — deliberate intent, in the death of Joshua Lee Price.
Phillips will be in court for his preliminary hearing 9:30 a.m. Thursday, November 5.
Cole Isaac Phillips, 21 of Weatherford, was charged with first-degree murder April 10 after an incident April 4 in a residence located in the 700 block of East College.
Joshua Lee Price, a 20-year-old father and husband of Weatherford, was allegedly shot by Phillips, according to a report from the
Weatherford Police Department.
Phillips was the reporting person for the incident. He told the 911 operator he had shot his friend after they had been in an argument. Upon arrival, officers found Price, who already was deceased.
Phillips claims he was defending himself, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed with the Custer County District Court.
As previously reported by the Weatherford Daily News, Phillips called 911 that Saturday afternoon, telling the dispatcher he had shot his friend after they had been in an argument. Upon arrival, Weatherford Police Officers found Price already deceased, court records show.
Phillips waived his Miranda warning rights shortly after officers responded to the incident to speak with Sgt. Troy Freeborn. Phillips said prior to the incident he had just gotten off of work and was avoiding Price. Phillips said he allegedly had been trying to help Price, but when Price allegedly began threatening him, Phillips said, “You know where I’m at,” court records show.
Price allegedly came to Phillips residence uninvited, the two got into an argument and Price allegedly pushed Phillips onto the ground. It was at this time Phillips allegedly drew his weapon and shot Price twice. Phillips then called 911, according to court records.
Officers alongside Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics Agent Brian Exinia obtained a search warrant from Judge Donna Dirickson within about 2 hours of Phillips’ 911 call. Officers found several marijuana plants inside a zip-up closet in the south bedroom of the residence. The closet had a purple grow light, which put off heat. Inside the zip-up closet were several potted marijuana plants, and throughout the house officers observed loose marijuana trimmings in a waste basket and glass jars of marijuana. There were several wilted plants in the bathtub of one of the bathrooms. Phillips’ medical marijuana card was confirmed with officers, court records show.
Medical Examiner Jennifer Staggs was called to examine Price’s body. She observed Price had been shot in the left side of his abdomen and the left ear. Both Exinia and Staggs believe Price was on the ground when the shot to his head was fired. They estimated Phillips was about 3 feet away from Price when he allegedly fired both shots. There appeared to be no signs of struggle within the residence. There were no weapons found on Price’s person, according to court records.
Detective Matt Bartel met with Price’s wife who said Price and Phillips had been good friends for a long time. Phillips allegedly had accused Price of breaking into his residence and pouring bleach on some of his plants. Phillips allegedly sent Price’s wife a text at 3:07 p.m. which said, “You need to get control of your husband,” court records show.
Shortly after the text was sent, Price and his wife stepped outside so Price could smoke a cigarette. When he finished smoking, Price said he would be inside after his wife, but he never came back into their house. Price’s wife then went looking for Price. She called and texted him, but he did not answer. At 3:43 p.m. Price’s wife tracked the GPS on Price’s phone, which showed he was at Phillips’ residence. She called Price, but he did not answer. Dispatch received the 911 call from Phillips at 3:44 p.m., according to court records.
Price’s wife granted permission for WPD to search Price’s phone. Detective Joe Cox went through Price’s phone and found text messages between Price and Phillips, arguing. Price allegedly sent Phillips a text which said, “I’ll take the (expletive) weed in exchange for you opening your big mouth and putting my name in it,” court records show.
Phillips responded to the text from Price at 3:26 p.m. and said, “You know where I’m at.”
Price then allegedly texted another friend at 3:15 p.m. and asked them to be his back-up when he beat Phillips up. The friend allegedly responded he could not go, according to court records.
When Phillips called 911, the dispatcher advised him to unload his gun, leave it in the residence and step outside. When officers arrived on scene, Phillips had complied with the dispatcher’s instructions, court records show.
Phillips does not have a criminal record. He is scheduled to appear in court June 5, according to court records.