Bucky offers no apology
BY JOHN ZICK THE LEADER

ERIC WENSEL/THE LEADER Ralph “Bucky” Phillips is led into Chemung County Court by sheriff’s deputies for his sentencing Wednesday afternoon in Elmira.

ELMIRA — Ralph “Bucky” Phillips offered no apology. Even as he stared at the man he shot more than six months ago, Phillips showed no remorse.

“I’ve said all I have to say,” Phillips said Wednesday in Chemung County Court. “Thanks.”

Flanked by several sheriff’s deputies and a courtroom packed with badges, Phillips was sentenced Wednesday to 40 years to life in prison for shooting state Trooper Sean Brown during a traffic stop June 10 in Veteran. Phillips received additional prison time for various other crimes related to the shooting.

“He is nothing,” said Brown, who returned to work weeks after being shot. “He is a coldblooded coward. Let him enjoy his family and supporters from behind bars.”

Phillips pleaded guilty Nov. 29 to shooting three state troopers during five months on the run from law enforcement. One trooper, Joseph Longobardo, died. His partner, Donald Baker, survived but spent months in the hospital recovering.

The 44-year-old career criminal, who escaped the Alden Correctional Facility on April 2, was the subject of a massive, statewide manhunt after shooting Brown. Longobardo and Baker were shot Aug. 31 in Chautauqua County while searching for Phillips, who was captured Sept. 8.

On Tuesday, Phillips received life in prison without parole killing Longobardo and 40 years to life for wounding Baker. His sentences in Chemung County

will run consecutively with those handed down in Chautauqua County.

During the nearly 2.5-hour court appearance Wednesday, Phillips was more composed than he’s been in the past, although, at times, the killer appeared brash and defiant.

“(Your smirk) will dull with a few decades (in prison),” Brown told Phillips.

Terry Brown, Sean Brown’s father, said Phillips nearly stole the life of a great man. He said Sean Brown served in the Air Force in the Persian Gulf and Bosnia, and volunteered to help with Hurricane Katrina relief in 2005.

“This poor excuse of a man, Phillips, tried to end Sean’s life of doing good,” he said. “You can rest assured, Mr. Phillips ... you are never going to win.”

Before the sentences were handed down, Phillips attempted to withdraw his guilty pleas, saying he never intended to kill Brown, only wound him. Also, he said, he only pleaded guilty to keep his family from facing charges in Chautauqua County.

His ex-wife, Kasey Crowe, and daughter, Patrina Wright, had been charged with crimes related to harboring Phillips while he was on the run. Those charges were dropped as part of Phillips’ pleas.

“The entire plea allocution was staged,” Phillips said. “The thing I was worried about was my family. Otherwise I would have never pled guilty. Never.”

Judge Peter Buckley denied Phillips’ request, saying Phillips intelligently and adamantly admitted to the crimes Nov. 29. Phillips’ efforts to withdraw his pleas in Chautauqua County were also unsuccessful.

“The pleas stand,” Buckley said.

After Phillips was led from the courtroom, his sister, Mitty Cornelius, said Phillips will appeal the rulings.

“I know why he pled guilty,” Cornelius said. “It’s not over. There’s appeals.”

For Brown, it’s over.

“It does bring closure,” Brown said of Phillips’ sentences. “He got what he deserved.”