Commissioner’s son arrested – again

Lance Phillips, 40, the son of Smith County Precinct 3 Commissioner Terry Phillips and County Clerk Karen Phillips, was arrested again following an outburst during the commissioner’s court meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 2.
He was arrested for disrupting a public meeting, which marked the third time he was arrested for the same thing.
Lance Phillips had signed up to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting, held before other agenda items are addressed. He had signed up to speak on an agenda item concerning the approval of overtime for the district attorney’s office.
“I don’t want to disrupt the court today,’’ Phillips said as he began his comments. He then spoke about alleged corruption in the DA’s office.
At this point, County Judge Neal Franklin interjected and said Phillips was going off topic, but Phillips continued to make statements against the DA’s office.
As Franklin attempted to halt Phillips during his opening statements, Phillips pointed at the judge and said “Stop, stop, stop … this is my three minutes.’’
A sheriff’s deputy approached the podium and attempted to take the microphone. Phillips grabbed the microphone and said “stop’’ to the deputy.
“Mr. Phillips, that’s it, you’re through,’’ Franklin said.
“No I’m not,’’ Phillips responded, then took the papers he had off the podium and returned to a seat in the courtroom.
Franklin then issued a reminder that comments can only be directed to agenda items.
Phillips continued loudly speak toward Franklin and the commissioners, which prompted Franklin to tell warn him not to make outbursts or he would be removed from the courtroom. Following additional comments, Franklin told deputies to remove Phillips from the courtroom.
Phillips could be heard screaming “I haven’t done anything!’’ as he was led out of the courtoom.
In June of 2023, Phillips was arrested for disrupting a meeting or court hearing and in May, 2023 he was again removed from the courtroom.