Convicted Murderer To Be Released From Prison

Last updated on Monday, September 14, 2009

(BLOOMINGTON, IN) - The woman who reportedly shot and killed a preacher during the end of a Sunday morning service in 1993 is set to be released from prison while serving for the crime.

Beth Mayberry, a Bloomington resident and member of the North Salem United Methodist Church in Salem, stated that she intended to kill 36-year-old Reverend Roland Phillips, while in police custody following the crime.

The woman meant to kill herself after killing Phillips, but another member grabbed the .38-caliber Taurus revolver before she could finish her plan.

According to Mayberry in an official complaint about Phillips, she charged him with misconduct for engaging in sex acts prohibited for unmarried clergy and talked of a sexual relationship between herslef and Phillips.

Beth Mayberry

Mayberry yelled "you raped me. you raped me." during the shooting.

Phillips' last words while lying in front of the entire church and his 13-year-old daughter was "I didn't do it."

Jurors eventually ruled that Mayberry was mentally ill.

This Thursday, Mayberry will be released from an all-female correctional facility after serving 16-years of her 60-year term.

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