Just shy of the three-year anniversary of 45-year-old Celestine Walker’s murder, her abusive partner was sentenced to life in prison for her homicide, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said today.

After a Suffolk Superior Court jury found him guilty of second-degree murder and violating a restraining order that the victim had taken out against him, PHILLIP CARRINGTON (D.O.B. 4/6/65) today faced sentencing before Judge Frank Gaziano.  He sentenced Carrington to life in prison – the mandatory term for second-degree murder – with the possibility of parole after a period of 15 years and a concurrent term of 2 ½ years for the restraining order violation.  Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Hickman of the DA’s Homicide Unit had recommended that Gaziano use his discretion to set Carrington’s parole eligibility at 25 years, the maximum period allowed under the law.

Celestine Walker was murdered in 2013. Today, her killer was sentenced to life in prison.

Hickman and Assistant District Attorney Sarah Lewis of the DA’s Appellate Unit presented evidence and testimony at trial to prove that Carrington had been involved in a romantic relationship during which Carrington beat and abused her.

On May 11, 2013, Walker and Carrington went to a family member’s home and were given a ride back to Walker’s home in the early the next morning, which was Mother’s Day; both entered the home, the evidence showed.

Despite attempts by friends and relatives to reach Walker later on May 12, they received no response. On May 13, a maintenance man observed Carrington leaving the residence.  Though Carrington had greeted the worker each time the met over the course of years, he remained silent this time.

Neighbors reported a strong odor coming from Walker’s apartment and flies around her front door.  Workers responding to the complaints opened Walker’s door on May 16 and discovered her decomposing body partially covered with a sheet. 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.

Jurors convicted Carrington yesterday.  An earlier trial held last year ended in a mistrial after jurors declared themselves hopelessly deadlocked.

Before Carrington’s sentence was imposed, Walker’s relatives addressed the court.

“We will forever have to live with the fact that such thoughtless, hateful behavior is what led to another human being losing their life before their time.  From this day forth, our family has to battle with constant feelings of loss and loneliness,” Walker’s daughter said.  “The fight to overcome the tragedy that has taken place will forever remain a challenge.”

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.

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