Guilty Plea in Boston Sci Murder Case

Lyle "Ty" Hoffman is expected to be sentenced to 25 1/2 years in prison after pleading guilty last week to murdering Boston Scientific executive Kelly L. Phillips at a surburban Twin Cities gas station, according to media reports.

Hoffman, a former business and romantic partner of Phillips, pleaded guilty to second-degree intentional murder in Ramsey County District Court in Minnesota, admitting that he shot Phillips after a heated argument and struggle. Phillips, 48 was a general counsel and vice president for Worldwide Businesses at Boston Scientific in Minneapolis.

"It was so fast," Hoffman said during the Friday plea hearing, according to the Star Tribune of Minneapolis.

According to court records, Hoffman shot Phillips twice from a distance and then once at close range.

The guilty plea was part of a plea deal with prosecutors mean to prevent Phillips' family and loved ones from having to endure a trial. 

Hoffman was a fugitive for about a month after the August 11 shooting, and is also suspected of robbing a bank while he was on the run.

Shakopee, MN police announced in early September Hoffman had been arrested without incident after they responded to reported of a suspicious-looking man in a shopping center near an Arby's.

Phillips' office was just a few miles from the suburban gas station where he pleaded for his life while being shot.

Phillips and Hoffman, 44, founded a Minneapolis a gay bar together in 2009, and Hoffman had lived in a building Phillips owned across the street from the bar, but both relationships soured and Phillips evicted Hoffman.

Phillips was active in Boston Scientific employees' group that promoted equality. He had fought for marriage equality for gays, and was to wed another man on August 30. Instead, that day was marked by a memorial service for Phillips.

Chris Newmarker is senior editor of MPMN and Qmed. Follow him on Twitter at @newmarker.

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