Man accused in Derby store robbery to go to trial

The man accused of shooting a Derby woman during an AT&T store robbery – resulting in injuries that led doctors to amputate her limbs – will be tried before a Sedgwick County jury beginning this week.

James Michael Phillips, 27, is charged with attempted capital murder, attempted first-degree murder, attempted kidnapping and other felonies connected to the events of Aug. 11, 2015 – including shooting Julie Dombo, a 62-year-old retired guidance counselor.

Jury selection in the case was Monday.

Opening statements are set for Tuesday morning, said Dan Dillon, spokesman for the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office. The office is prosecuting the case.

Phillips, who is being held in jail in lieu of $3 million bond, will represent himself during the trial after refusing repeated suggestions he accept help from a defense attorney. It’s an unusual move in a case where a conviction will likely bring a life prison sentence.

He is accused of shooting Dombo multiple times after she refused to comply with his demands during a robbery of the AT&T store at Rock Road and Madison Avenue in Derby. During the police chase that ensued after he fled the store, Phillips fired at Derby police officer Larry Hampton, according to law enforcement accounts.

Phillips was captured after crashing into a police vehicle in Wichita.

The attempted capital murder charge is tied to the alleged assault on Hampton.

Dombo’s shooting resulted in Phillips’ attempted first-degree murder charge. She is expected to take the witness stand early this week to testify about the ordeal, which left her a quadruple amputee.

Phillips has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Sedgwick County District Court Judge Joe Kisner will preside over the trial. It’s expected to last about a week.

This story was originally published October 17, 2016 at 11:02 AM with the headline "Man accused in Derby store robbery to go to trial."