Suspect in Stabbing Death of Resident Caught Returning for Knife, Alleges DA

Prosecutors alleged the suspect accused of killing West Roxbury resident Gregory Phillips was arrested when he “went back to retrieve his knife just after 2:15 a.m. on Nov. 8, 2009.”

Opening statements started today in Corey Patterson's first-degree murder trail. Patterson is now 26. ADA Gretchen Lundgren told a Suffolk Superior Court jury that Phillips and Patterson were at the Kells in Brighton in the evening and early morning, each in separate parties with separate groups of friends, according to a press release from the DA's office. The two groups met each other after the establishment closed and Patterson began “hitting on and then harassing” one of Phillips’ female friends. The woman allegedly "rebuffed" his attention, said Lundgren.

Patterson allegedly plunged a knife into Patterson’s chest near the intersection of Harvard and Brighton avenues, after an altercation began while nightclubs were letting out for the night. Patterson is also charged with three counts of assault and battery on a public employee. 

“The defendant began to use rude, offensive, vulgar language,” Lundgren said, prompting another one of Phillips’ friends to step in, who suggested they settle the matter around the corner.

“I love it when stuff like this happens,” Patterson allegedly said.

The two groups met around the corner from the Kells. Phillips, 24, trailed behind, “who hadn’t said a word to the defendant,” said Lundgren.

Patterson and Phillips’ friend squared off and scuffled, and at some point, Patterson “bore down” on Phillips, on the periphery of the group, according to the DA's investigation. Witnesses allegedly saw Patterson make contact with the victim in a motion that appeared to be a shove – and then Phillips’ white shirt “became increasingly red with blood.”

Patterson allegedly tossed the weapon. After driving away, Patterson allegedly demanded to return to the scene.

“It was the defendant who insisted his cousin drive him past the ambulance, past the police officers, to retrieve the knife,” said Lundgren. “He explained that people had seen him. He explained that the knife had his prints on it.”

Patterson allegedly took his hat off and outer layers of clothing to change his appearance when he went to get the knife. Police at the scene were on their way to guard the knife when Patterson allegedly grabbed it.

“It took six police officers to subdue the defendant, who refused to give up the knife,” she said.

Phillips, a West Roxbury resident at the time of his death, was stabbed in the right ventricle of his heart, he died that morning at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.