Former 49ers NFL Running Back Lawrence Phillips Charged With Cellmate Damion Soward's Murder

MStars News has learned that former San Francisco 49ers NFL running back Lawrence Phillips was charged with first-degree murder in the death of his cellmate in a California prison, where he is currently serving jail time. According to People, the 40-year-old allegedly strangled his cellmate, Damion Soward, back in April at the Kern Valley State Prison. Phillips' dead cellmate was serving 82 years to life behind bars for a first-degree murder conviction.

After the incident, Kern County District Attorney's Office spokesperson, Andi Bridges, revealed to Bakersfield news station KBAK-TV that Phillips was the only one in the cell when Soward's died.

"It's not as easy to get to the crime scene as it would be had it occurred on the street," Bridges said. "It just takes time, and it takes time to have the autopsy results processed, as well."

Phillips was in the middle of a serving a 31-year sentence for a number of assaults before strangling Soward. Phillips was convicted of choking his girlfriend back in 2005, and later, the troubled 40-year-old drove his car into three teens after a pick-up football game.

If found guilty, the former football star could face a possible life sentence.

"If we are successful with the conviction as charged, he is facing a term of 25 to life, plus 15 years," Bridges explained.

Phillips' football career started back when he was drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft. He played for a number of NFL teams including the St. Louis Rams and Miami Dolphins.

Phillips is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 15.

Bridges, who is prosecuting the case, revealed to USA Today that she wouldn't be asking for the death penalty in Phillips' case.

After being a two-time college football national champion at the University of Nebraska, Phillips didn't have a successful career in the NFL. He was released from the St. Louis Rams back in 1997 for misconduct, and ended his career only playing three seasons after that in the NFL. He also played for a few Canadian teams as well as the arena football team the Florida Bobcats.

There are no details that reveal if he has an attorney, but Bridges predicts that Phillips will plead not guilty.

Before his latest charge, the former football player was eligible for release in 2032.