BOSTON, May 10, 2016—The abusive partner who killed Celestine Walker almost exactly three years ago now faces a life sentence following his conviction for her 2013 murder, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

A Suffolk Superior Court jury this afternoon convicted PHILLIP CARRINGTON (D.O.B. 4/6/65) of second-degree murder for strangling Walker, then 45, to death in her Heath Street home. He faces a mandatory life term when he is sentenced tomorrow. His conviction today came about six months after an earlier jury declared itself hopelessly deadlocked in its deliberations.

“After three years of investigation and prosecution, after two trials and countless court dates, Ms. Walker’s loved ones received some measure of justice today,” Conley said. “This verdict won’t return Celestine to their arms, but I hope they can take satisfaction in the knowledge that this jury saw her death for what it was – a crime of deadly domestic violence for which her abuser will be held accountable.”

Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Hickman of the DA’s Homicide Unit and Assistant District Attorney Sarah Lewis of the DA’s Appellate Division proved that Carrington had beaten Walker during their relationship, but that Walker attempted to hide the abuse from her family – even going so far as to cover bruises with makeup.

On May 11, 2013, Walker and Carrington went to a family member’s home to play cards. They left several hours later in the early morning of May 12 and were given a ride back to Walker’s home, which the victim and defendant entered together. It was Mother’s Day, the last time Celestine Walker was seen alive.

Friends and relatives attempted to reach Walker later on May 12 but received no response. On May 13, a maintenance man observed Carrington leaving the residence. The witness took note of this because he had known Carrington for years and Carrington usually greeted him when they saw each other. This time, however, Carrington remained silent.

On May 16, Walker’s neighbors reported a strong odor in the building. Workers observed a number of flies outside her apartment. When workers opened the door with a key, they found her body in a state of decomposition. It was partially covered with a sheet. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that she had been beaten and strangled.

Several of Walker’s family members confronted Carrington after learning of her death. He initially denied any knowledge of her death but later told them that it had been an accident.

Conley said the victims of domestic violence should call 911 in an emergency, but also noted that SafeLink, a statewide DV hotline, can be reached at 877-785-2020. SafeLink is answered by trained advocates 24 hours a day in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, as well as TTY at 877-521-2601. It also has the capacity to provide multilingual translation in more than 140 languages.

Elise McConnell was the DA’s assigned victim-witness advocate. Martin Murphy represented the defendant. Judge Frank Gaziano will sentence Carrington tomorrow morning in courtroom 906.

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All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt