(KMJ) – Troubled former NFL player Lawrence Phillips has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his cellmate at Kern Valley State Prison.
The 40-year old is suspected of killing Damion Soward. Officials determined that Soward, 37, was strangled to death in April.
Phillips, once one of college football’s most electrifying stars when he played running back for Nebraska, was already serving a sentence of more than 31 years. He was convicted on assaulting an ex-girlfriend in 2009 and driving his car into a group of teenagers in 2006.
Phillips is expected to plead not guilty when he is arraigned on the first-degree murder charge Tuesday.
Phillips, who is eligible for release in 2032 for his prior convictions, faces 25 years to life if convicted on the murder charge.
