Three-minute hearing in county murder case

HARTINGTON - The case of a Louisiana man accused of murder continues through Cedar County District Court.

In a three-minute hearing Monday, Judge Bryan Meismer got an update on progress in the case against 21-year-old David Phillips Jr. who is accused of second-degree murder in the shooting death of 31-year-old Israel Matos-Colon, Fowlerville, Mich.

The shooting occurred March 1 at a U.S. Cellular tower worksite about two miles north of Hartington.

He’s also accused of use of a firearm to commit a felony and possession of a stolen firearm.

Phillips’ lawyer, Todd Lancaster of the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy, said he was reviewing discovery in the case with more to come. The Nebraska Attorney General’s Office appeared via videoconferencing for the hearing. Cedar County Attorney Nick Matney is assisting in the prosecution of the case.

Meismer set the next court date for July 24.