Maddie Clifton's killer, Joshua Phillips, returns to court to prep for sentencing review
Share this @internewscast.com

Joshua Phillips returns to court Monday for a sentencing review after serving 25 years for Maddie Clifton’s 1998 murder.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — In a case that shook the Jacksonville community and attracted national attention, Maddie Clifton, 8, was tragically killed by her 14-year-old neighbor, Joshua Phillips, in November 1998. Phillips, who has been serving a life sentence, is set to return to a Duval County courtroom on Monday as part of his sentencing review process.

Clifton was initially reported missing in November 1998. A week after her disappearance, her body was discovered beneath Phillips’ waterbed. She had suffered severe beatings and stab wounds. Phillips was found guilty of her murder and sentenced to life behind bars.

In 2017, Phillips was re-sentenced to life imprisonment with a mandatory review after 25 years. This came after a supreme court ruling declared it unconstitutional to impose life sentences on juveniles without the possibility of parole.

A hearing is now set for Monday to schedule Phillips’ sentencing review. 

Attorney Shannon Schott said a judge will have to consider certain factors, like whether he has shown maturity and remorse, and his behavior in prison.

“The emphasis becomes less about what he did in the late 90’s, and more about who he is as a person today and if he should be entitled to be free in society,” Schott said.

Once a date is set the sentencing review, Schott said the public defender’s office will begin looking into the last 25 years of Phillips’ life.

“What’s going to happen in the next few weeks is the public defenders office is going to reopen their case, they will look into what has been happening with Joshua Phillips over the last 25 years, and they will start preparing their arguments for why he should have a meaningful opportunity for release,” Schott said.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
LA Mayor Karen Bass signs order to provide cash payments to immigrants affected by ICE raids

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass Implements Order for Cash Assistance to Immigrants Impacted by ICE Raids

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has enacted an executive order aimed at…
QB Jake Retzlaff breaks silence on leaving BYU after rape accusation

Quarterback Jake Retzlaff Speaks Out on Departure from BYU Following Rape Allegations

Jake Retzlaff, a former BYU quarterback, addressed his departure from the university…
Video still of a protestor appearing to fire a gun at agents.

Stunning Incident: Protester Allegedly Shoots at Officer During California ICE Raid on Cannabis Farm; FBI Offers $50k Reward for Information

A MASKED protester opened fire on federal agents during a tense immigration…
2025 Illinois measles cases: Health officials declare end of outbreak in southern Illinois

Southern Illinois Measles Outbreak Concludes: Health Officials Announce in 2025

CHICAGO (WLS) — Health officials in Illinois declared an end to an…
Aurora, Colorado dentist James Craig accused of poisoning wife Angela Craig's protein shakes going on trial for murder

Trial Begins for Aurora Dentist James Craig, Accused of Fatally Poisoning Wife via Protein Shakes

DENVER — Just a few days before her untimely death due to…
Authorities say about 200 immigrants arrested in raids on 2 Southern California farms

Officials Report Arrest of Approximately 200 Immigrants During Raids at Two Southern California Farms

CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) — On Friday, federal immigration authorities announced the arrest…
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed shortly after his capture.

Guantanamo Bay Trial May Lead to Death Sentence for 9/11 Architect Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

THE chief architect of the 9/11 terrorist attacks could be sentenced to death after…
‘River of Angels’ memorial rises in Kerrville as flood victims remembered

“‘River of Angels’ Memorial Erected in Kerrville to Honor Flood Victims”

KERR COUNTY, TEXAS – Over the past 72 hours, an expanding tribute…
South River, New Jersey police officers save 1-year-old choking child, body camera video shows

Heroic South River Police Officers Rescue Choking Toddler in Heart-Pounding Bodycam Footage

SOUTH RIVER, N.J. — Police officers in New Jersey jumped into action…
Osprey came back from the brink once. Now chicks are dying in nests, and some blame overfishing

Osprey Populations Once Recovered, But Now Nestling Deaths Are Rising—Is Overfishing the Culprit?

In GLOUCESTER POINT, Va. (AP) — Standing on an aging wooden duck…
Gervonta Davis arrested in Miami on domestic violence charge

Gervonta Davis faces arrest in Miami for domestic violence allegations

Police say the charge was connected to an incident that occurred last…
Parents face possible arrest, steep fines in military town's tough new approach to combat youth crime

Military Town Implements Strict Measures to Tackle Youth Crime, Including Potential Arrests and Fines for Parents

To curb rising youth violence, city leaders in Fayetteville, North Carolina, are…