Former Waupun Correctional Inmate Enters NGI Plea To Attempted Homicide Charge

(Waupun) A former Waupun Correctional inmate accused of stabbing a correctional officer multiple times changed his plea Thursday. Gregg Philips plead a not guilty plea by reason of mental defect to a felony charge of Attempted First Degree Intentional Homicide along with Substantial Battery and Battery by Prisoner stemming from the incident that occurred on Christmas Eve in 2019.

Phillips had originally pled just not guilty. According to the criminal complaint, Phillips stabbed a prison guard in the upper back, neck and head with a shank in the recreational area. Security cameras allegedly captured the incident and showed Phillips make a total of 26 stabbing motions towards the victim, who has able to deflect several of the strikes. A second correctional officer rushed to the attack and attempted to gain control over Phillips but it was not until a third guard arrived that the 41-year-old was finally restrained.

The corrections officer who was stabbed was taken to Waupun Memorial Hospital and then transported to UW Hospital in Madison with 13 stab wounds. He was released from the hospital the following day. Another guard who assisted reported being bit on the wrist by Phillips. During the attack, Phillips was allegedly overheard saying (quote) “It needed to be done. It didn’t matter who…it was just because he was a blue shirt” and that “a blue shirt needed to die.” Phillips was also reportedly laughing during the incident and just before it was over said (quote) “I quit, I’m done.”

Philips, who is now incarcerated at Green Bay Correctional, was convicted in 2005 of killing his girlfriend and a bystander at the Comfort Suites in Oak Creek. If convicted, Phillips faces an additional 75 years in prison.