P.G. prosecutor: D.C. cop left child to die in hot car

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (AP) — Prosecutors say a D.C. police officer involved in a paternity dispute with his mistress shot the woman dead and left their infant child to die in a hot car.

Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks said during opening statements Monday that Richmond Phillips killed the two because he didn’t want to pay child support. Mr. Phillips is being tried on two counts of first-degree murder along with child abuse and firearms charges.

Mr. Phillips was arrested in June 2011 after the body of 20-year-old Wynetta Wright was found in a park where the two had met. Their child, Jaylin, who was days shy of her first birthday, was found dead in her car seat with the doors closed and windows rolled up.

Defense lawyer Brian Denton told jurors his client is innocent and that the evidence is circumstantial.

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