Photo: mar52laine (Flickr)
A teen already convicted of attempted murder is accused of trying to intimidate witnesses against him from prison.
When Michael Phelps next appears in court, it will be for an initial hearing in a case in which he is accused of seven additional charges relating to the attempted murder of Chance Jackson in March.
Morgan County Prosecutor Steve Sonnega says Phelps communicated with friends from school while he was in jail in an effort to intimidate or harm witnesses in his attempted murder trial. Phelps faces two counts each of intimidation and conspiracy to commit intimidation and one count apiece of obstruction of justice, conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice and aiding, inducing or causing battery resulting in bodily injury.
“The real hope is that Michael Phelps is on notice if he ever wants to get out and see the light of day, to knock this stuff off,” Sonnega said.
Since he was waived to adult court for the attempted murder charge, Sonnega says Phelps will be tried in adult court for the most recent alleged offenses as well. A teenager accused of communicating with Phelps will also be tried on one juvenile count.
