It’s been a little over a year since the death of University student Phillip Gillins, who died less than two days after being punched in the face and hitting his head on the concrete
The state found Darrell Sky Walker guilty of throwing the fatal punch, sentencing him to more than six years in prison. But now Walker’s new attorney, Daniel Goff, is asking for a new trial.
Although this has undoubtedly been a tragic era for both Gillins’ and Walker’s families, and they surely are in need of closure, the case should be re-tried.
Walker’s attorney claims Ryan Joyce, a witness to the nights events, may provide new testimony that could clear Walker.
The new trial is critical because there have been conflicting accounts of the incident. Some witnesses claim another man, Bryan Beall, may have thrown the punch. Beall pleaded the Fifth Amendment during the original trial.
Regardless of the next trial’s outcome, it is crucial for the sake of justice that all sides are heard and the story is straightened out so that the families of Gillins and Walker can have closure on these tragic events.