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Murder

Death Penalty Waived in St. Louis Murder Trial

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

In a rare agreement, prosecutors have waived the death penalty for Thomas L. Umphfrey, a St. Louis man convicted of murdering his Illinois boss, Gerald "Gary" Eichschlag, in 1998. Umphfrey was initially sentenced to death in 2000 for the murder of Phyllis Liles, 46, of Virden, Illinois, but his sentence was commuted to life in prison by Illinois Gov. George Ryan in 2003. Prosecutors had sought the death penalty in the Eichschlag case to ensure Umphfrey remained in prison and to provide closure for the victim's family.

Key Takeaways:

  • Thomas L. Umphfrey was convicted of murdering Phyllis Liles, 46, of Virden, Illinois, in 1998, and was sentenced to death in 2000.
  • Umphfrey's death sentence was commuted to life in prison by Illinois Gov. George Ryan in 2003.
  • Prosecutors waived the death penalty in the case of Umphfrey's boss, Gerald "Gary" Eichschlag, 45, after Umphfrey agreed to waive his right to a jury trial.
  • Prosecutors originally sought the death penalty to ensure Umphfrey remained in prison and to provide closure for the victim's family.
  • Umphfrey's lawyer, public defender Robert Wolfrum, declined to comment on the case.
  • Eichschlag's widow could not be reached for comment.
  • Prosecutors believe Umphrey shot Eichschlag in the back of the head after a quarrel, then buried his body in a shallow grave near their workplace.
  • Umphrey was arrested for possession of a stolen car at a remote Canadian border crossing with two female companions from St. Louis.

Statistics:

  • 1998: Deaths of Phyllis Liles, 46, of Virden, Illinois, and Gerald "Gary" Eichschlag, 45, of St. Louis, Missouri.
  • 2000: Thomas L. Umphrey was sentenced to death for the murder of Phyllis Liles.
  • 2003: Illinois Gov. George Ryan commuted Umphrey's death sentence to life in prison.
  • 1998: St. Louis man, Gerald "Gary" Eichschlag, 45, was murdered by Umphrey.
  • 1998: Pieces of Umphrey's truck flattened Phyllis Liles' tire, prompting him to carjack and kill her.

Sources:

  • "St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Umphrey to Waive Jury Trial in Eichschlag Murder Case" (exact title not provided in the original text)
  • Court documents, including statements and maps provided by Umphrey
  • Illinois and St. Louis investigators' reports

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