Faison man investigated for gallows display
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Mannequins are dressed up and are hanging in the front yard of Faison resident Lacy Phipps. Phipps has labeled the mannequins with the names of government officials.(Photo by Doug Clark)
District Attorney Dewey Hudson said that the display is “very troubling and disturbing.”
“It was brought to my attention by investigators here earlier this week,” he said. “I rode out there and viewed it, and yes, it was very troubling. The mannequins are life-sized and are hanging from the gallows.”
Hudson said names of judges, attorneys, Duplin County Sheriff Blake Wallace, Hudson and Mike Easley are displayed under the mannequins.
In addition to Hudson, Wallace and Easley, the names of judges Paul Hardison and Russell Lanier and chief council Kathrine E. Jean are also listed under the mannequins.
“To see one of those wearing a judge’s robe, hung in effigy, is pretty disturbing,” he said. “Right now, we are investigating the incident with our local, state and federal authorities involved.”
The man in question is Lacy Phipps. Published reports state that Phipps said that he put up the display to bring attention to his problems with the government and the improper way the murder of his son, William Phipps, was handled.
According to reports, on Sept. 5, 1995, Phipps and his son were shot by a 7 mm gun in an ambush when they were returning home together. Both were shot — Lacy survived, William did not.
The triggerman, Jimmy Coley, was tried for the murder, but in July 1996, an Onslow County jury found him not guilty by reason of insanity. Coley testified that he “didn’t remember” anything that happened from shortly before the murder until about noon the following day. A psychologist stated that Coley had a mental breakdown because the Phipps family was terrorizing his parents.
“This has been going on in some sort of way since then,” said Hudson. “It has been almost 20 years now, why he (Lacy) picked the time to do this now, I have no idea. It is a very elaborate platform and it took a lot of time and money to build it ...”
Hudson said that while Phipps has his first amendment rights, as well as his property rights, the display has become troublesome.
“It has caused a lot of trouble,” he said. “We have heard that he built it (placing the mannequins) last Saturday night about 10 p.m. and people were out there watching with lawn chairs ... The names weren’t put on the mannequins until Monday, that is when I went out there. But it (the display) has caused trouble. There have been numerous calls and complaints about it and now with all the media attention, it is going to get worse.”
Hudson said that the attention is something that Phipps wants.
“He seems to enjoy the attention and notoriety it brings,” he said. “From what I understand he has written a book about it and its out there ... But for our part, the investigation will continue.”
The writings Hudson is referring to is an explanation of the reasons behind the gallows, as well as blown up copies of letters Phipps has sent to the North Carolina State Bar and the Judicial Standards Commission demanding an investigation into the “corrupt judges and attorney’s” in Duplin County. The letters are dated March 24, 2009.
Phipps also has a sign on the yard plugging a 7:26 video that has been posted on YouTube (Keyword: patriotphipps).
To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 139 or send e-mail to sisports@myclintonnc.com.
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golo, the fact that you are not from Sampson county does explain why you did not get the play on words wright/right that hang_em_high wrote. Maybe you should stick with commenting on your own county.
Apparently, Sampson has a better academic agenda than the county you came from or you would have understood that family tree post comment made to you. My 9 year old could understand that. The job you do have, must not be one that requires any kind of brain function, or you couldn't have gotten it. Oh, but we shouldn't bash retarded people. Remember, Forrest Gump was an inspiration to ignoramuses everywhere.
All this fuss over some toothless old man in Faison.
1. The post we referred to for your family tree is simply a post (as in a fence post).
2. A post without branches (meaning you are all related you come from the same bloodline...ya know...inbreeding)
Now, golo, lmao, i never said the police charged you with anything. (RE-READ what I said)...duh....(Maybe golo will represent the drunk woman as soon as her name is released and the Warsaw Police decide to charge her! LMAO !)
golo did you understand riding the short bus and licking the windows? lol.....That indicates mental retardation. Have ya ever seen mentally retarded kids starring out a window with their face pressed up to the window and they are licking the window?
Understanding MY IGNORANCE???? ROFLMMFAO.....I can't believe your lack of intelligence..lol Do you live in a swamp and sleep under a rock? I'm beginning to think Mr. Phipps is the sane one! At least he is creative!
Glad I could be of help.
Just saying lol
I really didn't give an opinion, just another side of the story then the name calling began....is that all you can do is call people names?
You are entitled to your opinion just like I am!
If I wanted your opinion, I'd give it to you. Think you can handle that, slacker?
I just read the article and saw some responses and gave my opinion just like everyone else. I know more about ths situation but If I would have known that people were gonna come up here and do nothing but calls names, I wouldn't have bothered. I didn't know I would have ran into so many ignorant people...thanks SI..I will go back to the newsargus...screw this.
Maybe golo will represent the drunk woman as soon as her name is released and the Warsaw Police decide to charge her! LMAO !
Some of the dummies "GO LOWER" than others. Maybe Mr. Phipps will let you "GO LOW" on whichever ones you like and he can call WRAL - 5 On Your Side to video you. That would be a cute one for Youtube! LMAO
Golo, even Stevie Wonder can see that your family tree is a POST ! ROFLMAO !
This is priceless. The man doesn't have a teef in his head.
It's apparent this female didn't get the meaning of "family tree is a post" and she's on here critiquing everyone else's posting.
no, I didn't get it b/c it has no meaning to me....why would it?
Just woke up: so you know what that means? WOW..aren't you special.....your words don't hurt me...I like it. I enjoy a laugh.