In the days leading up to his death, Lawrence Philips murder trial in the death of his cell mate was scheduled to begin.
But hours after his preliminary hearing, Philips was found dead in his cell at Kern County State Prison with what the corners ruled as a suicide.
After nearly 6 months, an autopsy report, obtained by the Omaha World Herald, documents revealed Philips hung himself with a bed sheet tied to a T-V shelf in his cell.
The report also says when officers found Philips unresponsive, a note was taped to his chest that read “do not resuscitate,” a detail Philips former attorney says is strange.
"There was no effort to see even if that was in Lawrence's handwriting, they didn't ask for any handwriting samples,” said Jesse Whitten, Lawrence Phillips former attorney.
Whitten has no plans to pursue this investigation any further and he said if the Philips family needed his assistance, he will help in any way he can.
