Man Faces Rape, Attempted Murder Charges After Hostage Situation
A man was charged with three sexual offenses, as well as kidnapping and attempted murder, after he allegedly took a woman hostage in Chatham County on Sunday.
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Shortly after midnight, deputies were called to the home of William Preston Phillips, 36, of 2593 Pea Ridge Road, to handle a possible hostage situation. Before they arrived, deputies learned Phillips and the victim had left.
Negotiators convinced Phillips to let the woman go around 1:30 p.m., and he surrendered about a little over an hour later.
Phillips and the woman were appearantly in a relationship, officials said.
Phillips was originally charged with assault with a deadly weapon. But on Monday, authorities upgraded those charges to include attempted first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, first-degree rape, first-degree sexual offense and crimes against nature.
The woman – whose identity authorities withheld – suffered a laceration on her neck, two puncture wounds on her thigh and a slash to her bottom lip. She was flown to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill and was expected to undergo surgery for multiple knife wounds.
Phillips had a laceration on his left forearm and was also treated at UNC Hospitals. Deputies said they suspect his wound was self-inflicted.
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