Superior Murder Suspect Pleads Guilty to Attempted Armed Robbery

An 18-year-old woman has pleaded guilty to charges connected to the murder of a Superior man. 

As part of a plea agreement, Teah Phillips entered a guilty plea Tuesday to one felony count of Party to the Crime of Attempted Armed Robbery for her role in the shooting death of 20-year-old Garth Velin in September of 2014. 

Phillips was originally charged with Party to the Crime of Felony Murder. 

The attempted armed robbery charge carries a maximum of 20 years- 12 and a half years behind bars and 7 and a half years of extended supervision. 

The family of Garth Velin were emotional in court Tuesday, speaking out against the plea agreement. 

“Shame on Mr. Blank and Mr. Biller for working out a deal for that horrible, horrible girl. Innocent people don’t plead guilty. Guilty people accept deals to shave off prison time. Garth’s murderer did.  Please do not let her do that too,” said Deborah Velin, Garth’s mother. 

“There are three things that are indisputable. Garth is dead in a cemetery after being murdered in his own home.  The killer and gang leader is in prison after confessing to the crime of felony murder.  Four other members of this gang have all admitted to being involved. For this reason- they were all charged with felony murder, party to the crime. but now the District Attorney doesn’t want to prosecute. Why not? We have a murder, we have guns, we have gang activity,” said Paul Velin, Garth’s father. 

“This has been tremendously challenging- when the parents of the victim turn on the prosecutor that’s trying to represent justice for their loved one- that’s horrible,” said Douglas County District Attorney Dan Blank. 

Blank said the evidence proves that Phillips knew there was going to be a robbery and knew that Chance Andrews had a gun, but strongly believes that no one had a plan to shoot or kill anyone.  He said her cooperation in the case and her testimony in the trials of her co-defendants were mitigating factors that went into offering her a plea agreement. 

Phillips was released in November of 2014 on $50,000 cash bail. On Tuesday, the Velin family asked Judge George Glonek to revoke Phillips’ bail, putting her back behind bars.  Judge Glonek denied the request saying she is not at risk of committing a crime or missing her sentencing hearing. 

Sentencing is scheduled for June 30.