Depositions taken in rural Hartington murder case

HARTINGTON — The case of a Louisiana man accused of murder continues with defense counsel taking depositions.

David Phillips Jr., 21, appeared in Cedar County District Court Monday morning for a hearing that lasted less than five minutes. At that time, his lawyer, Todd Lancaster of the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy, said he is currently taking depositions in the case and expected to wrap those up within 45 days.

The next court date was set in October when Lancaster and prosecutors at the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office would be in a better position to set a trial date.

Phillips 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.