BEDFORD – After deliberating for more than 3 hours, the jury found Phillip “Butch” Deckard guilty on four of the five charges in Lawrence County Superior Court II Monday afternoon.
He was acquitted of murder. He was found guilty on felony charges of aggravated battery with a substantial risk of death, reckless homicide, involuntary manslaughter, and domestic battery by means of a deadly weapon.
Judge John Plummer III will sentence Deckard on April 9 at 9 a.m.
Deckard, 58, was found guilty of shooting and killing his girlfriend Charlene Silvers after a domestic dispute on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, at the home the couple shared at 2738 Maul Ridge Road.
Officials say Deckard and Silvers had a 13-year relationship. Silvers died from her injuries on Thursday, August 27, 2020, at 7:24 p.m.
Lawrence County Prosecutor Sam Arp and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Allison Chopra presented the case for the state.
Martinsville Attorney John Boren and Tonisha Jarrett defended Deckard.
