By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Ralph Phillips pleaded guilty Thursday to escaping from jail. It was an escape that spurred the largest manhunt in state history.
Philips entered State Supreme Court in downtown buffalo wearing a black and white striped prison suit. He smiled and waved to a very small group of supporters. Phillips was there to answer to a charge of escape. He used a can opener to cut a hole in the roof of the Erie County Correctional facility in Alden last April.
Philips said he was "guilty as hell."
Phillips was on the run from the law for five months and retaliated against state troopers who were searching for him. He shot and wounded a trooper near Elmira in June. In August, he shot and killed Trooper Joseph Longobardo and wounded his partner Donald Baker, Jr. On Wednesday, in Chemung and Chautauqua counties, Phillips plead guilty to those shootings.
It is believed he agreed to the plea deal to protect family and friend from charges for helping him while he was on the run. During all his court appearance Philips displayed confidence, and even at times an arrogant attitude.
Among his supporters was Sweet Home student Katie Gambles, 17, of Williamsville. She says she is a friend of Phillips. Gambles wore a yellow waist band that said "I love Buck", referring to Philip's nickname, Bucky.
Gambles says she doesn't care how the family of the murdered trooper may feel about her support.
Phillips will be sentenced on December 19th. He faces life imprisonment without parole.
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