The man found guilty for shooting and killing a 20-year-old University of Missouri student was sentenced to five years of probation on a four-year suspended sentence.
Joshua Wilbers was sentenced Tuesday after a Cole County circuit judge found him guilty of involuntary manslaughter in July. If he violates his probation, he will spend four years in prison.
Wilbers was charged with first-degree manslaughter in November 2022 two days after his girlfriend, Hallie Phillips, was fatally shot in the trailer home where they lived, according to past reporting from KOMU 8 and the Columbia Missourian.
Court documents said Wilbers, then 23, was trying to show Phillips the firing pin on his recently purchased .22-caliber bolt-action savage rifle when he pulled the trigger and struck Phillips, who was seated 6 feet away.
Court documents claimed that, before firing, he removed the magazine and cycled the bolt back at least twice to ensure the chamber was empty.
Wilbers reportedly told law enforcement he carried Phillips outside to drive her to a hospital before dialing 911. Detectives said home security footage corroborated Wilbers' story.
Phillips was a junior studying animal sciences at MU at the time of the incident.
The court room was packed on Tuesday as family and friends of both Wilbers and Phillips showed up to lend their support. Court staff set up an overflow room so people could watch the proceedings.
The Cole County Prosecuting Attorney's Office requested Wilbers face prison time, calling his actions completely avoidable and criminally reckless. Prosecutors played emotional video of Phillips' "honor walk" to bolster their case. The video showed Phillips being wheeled down a hospital hallway shortly before she was taken off life support.
Prosecutors acknowledged the shooting is a tragedy for everyone involved but argued Wilbers acted recklessly by pointing a gun at Phillips. A prison sentence would send a message that recklessness with guns can have deadly consequences, prosecutors argued.
Wilbers' attorney, Daniel Hunt, pushed back, arguing that sentences should be based on the law, not sending messages. Hunt asked for a probationary period of five years in which Wilbers would not be able to posses a gun.
Wilbers was reckless, Hunt acknowledged, but did not intend to break the law. Hunt pointed out that Wilbers did not have a prior criminal history and has not gotten into further legal trouble while on probation.
The court heard emotional testimony from both Phillips' and Wilbers' family. Phillips' grandfather, mom and two younger siblings provided victim impact statements.
Angie Phillips, Hallie's mom, described her daughter's death as a life sentence. In excruciating detail, Angie described the night of Hallie's death, describing her reaction when doctors said Hallie could not be saved.
"The room was quiet, but my insides were screaming," Angie said.
Phillips' family repeatedly singled out Wilbers, calling Hallie's death avoidable. KennyOligschlaeger, Phillips' grandfather, referenced his military service during his victim impact statement. Oligschlaeger said he was trained to never point a weapon at someone unless they are an enemy.
Wilbers' parents also addressed the court, asking the judge to show their son leniency. Ben Wilbers, Joshua's dad, said his son is punishing himself more than any court sentence could.
"This young man loved that girl more than we can imagine," Ben Wilbers said.
Joshua Wilbers also spoke briefly, addressing Phillips' family directly. Wilbers said he still cares deeply for Phillips' family, no matter what they may think of him. The shooting is an unfolding nightmare, Wilbers said, that shredded the dreams he and Phillips had for the future.
Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem addressed the court before handing down the sentence. Beetem said he was struck by the positive impact Phillips had on others.
Beetem referenced some advice an older judge once gave him. It is a judge's job to punish evil and correct stupid, Beetem said.
"(Wilbers) made a really stupid choice," Beetem said.
Wilbers has the cleanest presentence report Beetem said he had ever seen during his 18 years on the bench.
A presentence report is put together by a probation officer. It measures the "defendant’s involvement, any similar or uncharged criminal conduct, the impact of the offense on the victim(s), and the sentencing options," according to the U.S. Federal Court, Western District of Missouri.
Beetem said there is nothing he can do to bring Phillips back. Instead, he must balance the facts of the case. Wilbers already bears the mark of being convicted, Beetem said, and will no longer legally be allowed to touch a gun again.That conviction — issued by Beetem in July — holds Wilbers responsible for his actions, the judge said.
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