Judge: Suspect Competent To Stand Trial For Police Chase, Death Threat

October 28, 2010

A Century man that led police on a vehicle chase and then threatened to kill a deputy has been found competent to stand trial.

An Escambia County Circuit Court judge ordered a psychological evaluation of  Christopher Angelo Phifer, 38, of Field Road Century earlier this year and committed Phifer to a state institution. Following another psychological evaluation, Judge Joel Boles has ruled Phifer competent and set a December trial date.

Phifer was charged with  with DUI, fleeing/eluding a law enforcement officer, registration/tag expired more than six months, driving while license suspended/revoked, threatening a public servant, two counts of resisting arrest, possession of weapon by a convicted felon and violation of probation. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.

According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department report, Deputy James Gilman spotted a Jeep Cherokee occupied by Phifer at McMurray Park in Century at 12:20 am September 6, 2009. When Gilman ordered Phifer to exit the vehicle, Phifer took off in the Jeep, according to the report.

Deputy Gilman gave chase, using his lights and siren as he pursued Phifer down Pond Street, onto Jefferson Street and onto Salters Lake Road. On Salters Lake Road, Phifer hit a washed out area in the road, according to the report, causing his vehicle to roll over. Phifer fled into a wooded area on foot, with Gilman giving chase, also on foot. Gilman tackled Phifer, the report says, and arrested Phifer with the help of deputies Jason Land and Scott Rivkin.

About 10 minutes after Phifer was placed in the back of Gilman’s patrol car, he told deputies he had pain in his arm. Atmore Ambulance was called to the scene, and Phifer was transported to Baptist Hospital where he was treated and released.

A search of Phifer’s Jeep turned up a .22 long rifle cartridge on the driver’s side floorboard.

At the hospital, Phifer told the deputy “Gilman I’m going to kill your a** and you know I have guns,” according to the ECSO report on the incident, and that he intended to kill or put a hit out on Gilman.

Comments

3 Responses to “Judge: Suspect Competent To Stand Trial For Police Chase, Death Threat”

  1. Just An Old Soldier on October 28th, 2010 11:11 am

    I hope that this unfortunate man has a clear mind now, and can live in a more sane world and make better choices for himself. He was in a very dangerous situation of his own making, and this could have turned out much worse.

    Thank God that no one was injured or killed. Our Law Enforcement Officers are in a very dangerous occupation with every traffic stop. They never know which one might be the last. God Bless them all.

  2. Angelz on October 28th, 2010 9:32 am

    ■Horrific! on October 28th, 2010 6:58 am
    Geesh…
    what is wrong with ppl,. how many ppl are going to rob, breakin,
    beat their wives, fight with ppl at bars, threaten the officers of the law……

    I’m sure all these law abiding citizens had great parents…….
    So if I get what you are saying it is the parents fault that this man got into trouble with the law? ok what about a guy that had everything he could ever want (car clothes that are in style whatever he wanted to eat every game system you can think off and yes had disipline) but comes to his parents and says he has a drug problem the parents take said guy to get help for the drugs but the drug centers say “he does not have a bed enough drug problem” then a week later he is arrested for breaking into cars and stealing things so he can sale them for drugs….. Is that the parents fault????? not all people have bad parents. every one is taught right from wrong when we get older we choose to do right or wrong not our parents choice OURS!!!!!!!

  3. Horrific! on October 28th, 2010 6:58 am

    Geesh…
    what is wrong with ppl,. how many ppl are going to rob, breakin,
    beat their wives, fight with ppl at bars, threaten the officers of the law……

    I’m sure all these law abiding citizens had great parents…….

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News