Man convicted in death of carnival worker
Shawn Phillips
Lennie Franklin Mickey
One of four people accused in the murder of a 48-year-old carnival worker inside a North Charleston hotel room was found guilty late Thursday.
Now, the hope is that he'll cooperate in the retrial of another leading figure in the case.
A jury deliberated about two hours before finding Shawn Demetrius Phillips guilty of murder, armed robbery and criminal conspiracy for the November 2006 shooting death of Robert Vargo.
Vargo was shot in the head during a low-stakes robbery that 9th Circuit Assistant Solicitor Rutledge DuRant said was nothing short of an execution. As little as $50 was involved.
Phillips, 27, faces a minimum 30 years for the murder conviction, officials said. But his sentencing was deferred Thursday at the request of prosecutors and the defense.
Phillips potentially could give testimony in the retrial of co-defendant Lennie Franklin Mickey, whose May trial on the same charges ended in a hung jury.
Phillips showed little emotion as the guilty verdict was read inside the Charleston County Judicial Center. Some of his supporters left the courtroom in tears.
Authorities contend Phillips, Mickey and two women targeted Vargo at the Budget Inn on Fain Street in North Charleston. Vargo had checked in after working a two-week hitch at the Coastal Carolina Fair. Police contend he was killed for his money, which one of the women knew he kept in his shoe.
Once his attacker gained entry, Vargo was shot in the head through a pillow after he was forced onto the bed, authorities said.
Phillips' defense lawyer Mark Peper argued that his client got involved in the crime under duress from Mickey.
Also charged in the murder are Alana Ponce Niesen of North Charleston, and Sandra Campbell Barnes of Summerville. A third woman is charged with criminal conspiracy in the case, officials said.
Phillips was charged under the doctrine that "the hand of one is the hand of all," which covers when multiple defendants are involved. He faces life behind bars if given a maximum sentence by Circuit Judge James C. Williams Jr.
DuRant told jurors there is plenty of responsibility to go around in Vargo's death. "All of them are in it up to here," he said, raising his hand above his shoulders.
E-mail this story 
Printer-friendly version
Notice about comments:
The Post and Courier is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. The Post and Courier does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "suggest removal" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our Web site.
Full terms and conditions can be read here.
Comments
This article has 14 comment(s)
Posted by lillycollette on August 8, 2008 at 2:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Quote: “… the doctrine that "the hand of one is the hand of all," which covers when multiple defendants are involved. … there is plenty of responsibility to go around … All of them are in it up to here," he said, raising his hand above his shoulders.”
Thank you to 9th Circuit Assistant Solicitor Rutledge DuRant and Solicitor Wilson for following through on this prosecution.
Posted by moonpie on August 8, 2008 at 4:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Scum bags. Appreciate your worthless contribution to society. Sure your momma is proud.
Posted by sig on August 8, 2008 at 6:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why 30 years in prision? Why not death - the same way they killed the man. Shoot them in the head!
This is a very interesting defense for the other scum bag.
Phillips' defense lawyer Mark Peper argued that his client got involved in the crime under duress from Mickey.
He knew why they were their and what they were going to do. I am sure there moms would say how they are outstanding young men who were hardly ever a problem. I am so tired of hearing that.
Scum bags!
Posted by Tammie on August 8, 2008 at 7:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Was it really worth it fools? Hell no.
Posted by suec on August 8, 2008 at 7:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I keep telling y'all these are the people you need to worry about instead of focusing all your energy and anger towards the illlegal immidrants.
It is US born thugs who will do more harm to you than the Meixcan on the corner.
Immigrants are a problem, but not a severe or as scary as these guys and others like them in our area. They work in groups, with weapons and zero compassion, moral or respect for anyone or anything.
As for an economic impact...It's a safe bet that they were welfare babies and have a few of their own.
Stop these thugs and others like them from wandering the streets looking for something to steal and selling drugs in their "look like a cop" cars.
They are the real threat to society.
Posted by summerville_guy on August 8, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
These two morons look like real winners in life.
Posted by lexylady on August 8, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good grief, that was about as premeditated as it gets. I am shocked by this sentence. It certainly doesn't fit the crime. This type of crime gets worse every day. Why are we not tougher on murder? Can anyone answer that?
Posted by RTC on August 8, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A murder described as "execution style". Why no death penalty? It takes a really coldhearted individual to shoot someone in this fashion. Someone please tell me why the triggerman should not be executed himself?
BTW- doesn't Lennie look more like a Leona? Check out the straps on his? tank top.
Posted by suec on August 8, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't hear of many illegals doing this kind of stuff RW.
That is why I disagree. They are not the MAIN problem. They are a problem but nothing compared to these US born citizens who would shoot a person just for the fun of it.
Posted by donny on August 8, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am just trying to figure out what sentence has everyone so shocked. The article says that his sentence was deferred to see if he would be willing to cooperate and testify against Mickey. He is looking at 30 years to life but has not been sentenced yet.
Posted by Lovely_One on August 8, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think they really need to throw every book in the law library at these jerks. This murder was obviously premeditated and cold blooded. They deserve the death penalty and nothing less.
Posted by CHRISJIII on August 8, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hopefully they will never see the light of day again.
Posted by suec on August 8, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They probably did it for fun. Like a Gangsta, yo.
Posted by alexis on August 9, 2008 at 4:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i think that if you know the situation thse boys have kids to worry about i know what happened was wrong and they should pay but think about there kids they are the ones who is going to suffer have some compassion though the bible says do not judge and you wont be judge