Whisper
#byefelicia
A college soccer coach was arrested for strangling a 12-year-old boy in upstate New York almost three years ago,
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Oral (Nick) Hillary, 39 — the men’s soccer coach at Clarkson University — was collared Thursday at his home in the village of Potsdam, located just about 15 miles south of the Canada border
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He was charged with second-degree murder for the killing of Garrett Phillips, who died in a hospital after he was found unconscious in his home on Oct. 24, 2011.
Investigators said the child — who was strangled and suffocated with a pillow — was found after neighbors heard his screams and cries for help.
Hillary — who, according to his profile on the university's website, is a Jamaica-native who graduated from Samuel J. Tilden High School in Brooklyn — pleaded not guilty after a sealed indictment was delivered
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He was ordered held in the county jail without bail.
Hillary was questioned soon after Garrett died, but was never charged.
The soccer coach sued the village of Potsdam and its police department for defamation
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The disposition of the lawsuit was not immediately clear.
Officials at Clarkson University, a Division III school, said the coach was on administrative leave.
http://www.northcountrypublicradio....arrested-in-murder-of-12-year-old-potsdam-boyTwo and a half years after 12-year-old Garrett Phillips was found murdered in Potsdam, a suspect has been taken into custody. Potsdam police arrested Oral "Nick" Hillary, Clarkson University's soccer coach, Thursday afternoon. Hillary was charged with second degree murder after a sealed indictment was delivered to St. Lawrence County court.
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The arrest comes after four days of closed-door testimony before a grand jury that began Monday. In a texted statement, Rain called it "an emotional week." She said Garrett Phillips' mother, Tandy Cyrus, and several family members, were present at the arraignment. Rain said the Potsdam police "did a great job in pressing the case forward."
Hillary was questioned in the initial investigation of the case, but never charged. He has sued the village of Potsdam and the police department for defamation, claiming leaks during the investigation negatively affected his reputation.
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