Ex-Rams running back Lawrence Phillips, who was the sixth-overall draft pick in 1996, has been charged with first-degree murder in the strangulation death of his cellmate at a California prison. Phillips is already serving a sentence of more than 31 years after he was convicted of choking his girlfriend and later driving his car into three teens after a pickup football game.
He allegedly killed Damion Soward, 37, at Kern Valley State Prison in April. According to the story in USA Today, if convicted, the 40-year old will not face the death penalty.
Phillips played college ball at Nebraska and played three seasons with the Rams, Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers.