Phillips prelim rescheduled until January

Sean Phillips during his 2012 trial

LUDINGTON — Sean Michael Phillips waived his right to have a preliminary court hearing within 14 days of arraignment. The hearing, in front of 79th District Court Judge Pete Wadel, has been rescheduled for 9 a.m. on Jan. 9 and 10, 2014. The purpose of the preliminary exam is to determine if there is probable cause to turn the case over to circuit court.

On Oct. 4, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, along with Spaniola and members of local law enforcement, held a press conference at Ludington Municipal Complex. During that time, Schuette stated that Phillips murdered Katherine “Baby Kate” Phillips on June 29, 2011, and that investigators had collected evidence that will prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. Schuette would not specify what the evidence was.

During a deposition hearing against Phillips, Mason County Sheriff Det. Mike Kenney stated the evidence against Phillips consists of conclusive evidence that includes plant material found from his shoes the day Baby Kate disappeared along with statements made by Phillips that day and by two notes allegedly written by him since he was arrested. One of the notes, written in August 2012, was sent from his prison cell to Baby Kate’s mother, Ariel Courtland. That letter basically confessed to the murder.

Phillips is currently serving a 10 to 15 year prison sentence for the 2012 conviction of unlawful imprisonment of his daughter.