Cyrus
A mother seeking justice for her murdered son.
Cyrus is the mother of 12-year-old Garrett Phillips, who was murdered on October 24, 2011, in Potsdam, New York. She was in a past relationship with Oral "Nick" Hillary, a Jamaican man who became the primary suspect in her son's death. Her ex-boyfriend was a soccer coach at Clarkson University. The documentary *Who Killed Garrett Phillips?* examines the investigation and trial that followed the murder.
- Role
- Key Figure / Guide
Lore & Background
Cyrus was the ex-girlfriend of Oral "Nick" Hillary, a Jamaican man who was a soccer coach at Clarkson University. After her 12-year-old son Garrett Phillips was found murdered in their home on October 24, 2011, police quickly focused on Hillary as the suspect. The documentary chronicles the years following the murder, including Hillary's interrogation, arrest, and trial for second-degree murder. Hillary opted for a bench trial and was ultimately acquitted. During the trial, it was revealed that public state prosecutor Mary E. Rain withheld exculpatory evidence from the defense, leading to Rain being banned for two years from practicing law.
In Their Own Story
On October 24, 2011, Cyrus's son Garrett Phillips was found murdered in their home in Potsdam, a small town in upstate New York. Police quickly focused on Oral "Nick" Hillary, a Jamaican man who was a soccer coach at Clarkson University and Cyrus's ex-boyfriend. The documentary follows the years after the murder, including Hillary's interrogation, arrest, and trial for second-degree murder. He chose a bench trial and was ultimately acquitted. During the trial, it came to light that public state prosecutor Mary E. Rain had withheld exculpatory evidence from the defense, and for this and other professional misconduct, Rain was banned from practicing law for two years.
Reader's Guide
Cyrus is the mother of the victim, Garrett Phillips, and the ex-girlfriend of the primary suspect, Oral "Nick" Hillary. Her role in the documentary is as a central figure in the real-life case. The documentary examines the complexities of the case, highlighting issues of racial bias and prosecutorial misconduct. Key events include the murder on October 24, 2011, Hillary's bench trial, his acquittal, and the subsequent two-year ban of prosecutor Mary E. Rain for withholding exculpatory evidence.
Did You Know?
- Cyrus's ex-boyfriend, Oral "Nick" Hillary, was a soccer coach at Clarkson University.
- The murder of her son Garrett Phillips occurred on October 24, 2011, in Potsdam, New York.
- Hillary opted for a bench trial and was acquitted of second-degree murder.
- Prosecutor Mary E. Rain was banned from practicing law for two years for withholding exculpatory evidence and other misconduct.
- The documentary *Who Killed Garrett Phillips?* premiered on June 20, 2019, at the AFI Docs Film Festival.
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