Argument over flashlight leads to fatal stabbing in Moselle

Published 11:15 pm Tuesday, April 18, 2017

MOSELLE (AP) — Authorities have arrested a man they say fatally stabbed another man during a fight over a flashlight.

25-year-old Matthew Lee Phillips of Seminary has been charged with murder in the stabbing death of 40-year-old Joseph Stringer on Friday in Jones County. Stringer was pronounced dead at the scene. Phillips fled the scene, leading police on an 11-hour search.

Jones County Sheriff Alex Hodge says they were fighting over a flashlight Stringer had taken from Phillips. Hodge says they’ve had altercations before and there was some alcohol involved.

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Phillips says the killing was self-defense and Stringer had sent him to the hospital before.