Lake City man indicted

Second-degree murder charges for leaving crash scene

A grand jury indicted a Lake City man Wednesday for second-degree murder in the February death of Pamela Pafford.

Michael Philpot

Michael Philpot, 24, was initially charged by the Florida Highway Patrol with leaving the scene of a crash with death, leaving the scene of a crash with serious injury and violation of probation after his car struck the car driven by Pafford. Pafford’s seven-year-old son was critically injured in the crash. The State Attorney’s Office presented the facts to a Grand Jury Wednesday who decided Philpot should be charged with second-degree murder. The initial charges by the FHP will be upgraded due to the indictment by the grand jury.

If convicted, Philpot faces 40 years to life in prison.

After the crash, Philpot exited his car, looked in on Pafford and her son and then fled the scene into nearby woods. He remained the focus of a nation-wide manhunt until he was arrested in Houston, Texas about two weeks later.

"Our detectives, led by Det. J.T. Williams, were responsible for tracking Mr. Philpot down and working with Texas authorities to bring him back to Columbia County," said Sheriff Bill Gootee. "The teamwork between the Florida Highway Patrol and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is to be highly commended."

Interviews with friends and family of Pafford determined the two had been involved in a relationship at some point in the past and had had recent contact. Philpot was released from the Florida Department of Corrections last May after serving a prison sentence for false imprisonment and aggravated assault of Pafford.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers and investigators investigated the initial crash on US Highway 441 north of Lake City and then worked with Sheriff’s Detectives to unwind the past and track Philpot down in Texas.

"The Florida Highway Patrol and the Columbia County Sheriff's Office worked extremely well together to bring this fugitive to justice", said Major Rick Carpenter of the Florida Highway Patrol.

"Everyone involved in this case was extremely eager to apprehend Mr. Philpot," said Sheriff Gootee. "His intentional acts resulted in the death of one and the critical injury of another – a small boy.

Frankie Gaines

Another man, Frankie Gaines, 26, was charged with helping Philpot evade law enforcement for several days. He was arrested and remains in the Columbia County Jail on an $11,500 bond.

"The Houston authorities were also extremely eager and willing to help apprehend Mr. Philpot and return him to Columbia County to face charges," said Sheriff Gootee. "Teamwork is the key to so many things in life and the investigation of this entire case is a prime example."