NEW ORLEANS — The suspect involved in a disturbing murder case where three children died in a house fire changed her plea to guilty and was attacked in court.
Shanyka Phillips faced charges of being an accessory after the fact to first-degree murder.
Authorities say her boyfriend, Joseph Washington, set a house on fire on America Street last October with his children inside.
The fire killed 8-year-old Joseph Washington Jr., 5-year-old Jayla Washington, and 3-year-old Avery Washington.
The father is serving a life sentence in prison after pleading guilty to murder charges.
According to the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, two extra deputies were placed in the courtroom on Monday in case anything happened. As she was changing her plea Monday – sources tell WWL Louisiana someone hit her in the face, though Opso says Phillips was not physically assaulted.
According to OPSO, the judge presiding over the case, Judge Kimya Holmes, held Angel Dounseroux in contempt for 24 hours for attacking Phillips.
In a statement, Opso said the deputies did an exceptional job, as always, addressing this disturbance and maintaining order in the court.
The court and Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams have not gotten back to our request for comment.
The public defender's office says Phillips’ lawyer can not comment since the case is ongoing. Phillips is expected to be sentenced on Thursday.
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