Man found guilty of killing MU student, sentenced to probation

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man convicted of killing his girlfriend in November 2022 was sentenced to five years probation on Tuesday.

Joshua Wilbers of Jefferson City was found guilty of first-degree manslaughter on July 17 for shooting and killing 20-year-old Hallie Phillips. Wilbers was initially charged with first-degree manslaughter and armed criminal action.

If Wilbers violates the terms of his probation, he could face a four-year prison sentence.

Officers were dispatched to the 9000 block of Century Farms Road on Nov. 27, 2022, for a report of an accidental shooting where they found Phillips injured, according to court documents in previous reports. A probable cause statement said Phillips was unconscious on the ground outside the trailer the couple shared.

According to court documents in previous reports, Wilbers told investigators that he went outside to shoot his new .22-caliber rifle when it exploded inside the house, hitting Phillips in the face.

Wilbers carried her outside, planned to load her into a car and drive her to the hospital, but decided to call 911 instead, the probable cause statement said.

Evidence at the scene and security video confirmed his story, the statement said. Phillips died from her injuries at University Hospital on November 29, 2022.

Phillips studied animal science at the University of Missouri.

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