Rochester Man Sentenced For Critically Wounding Woman Last Xmas

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Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man was sentenced today to a bit over 18 years in prison for shooting and critically wounding his girlfriend last Christmas.

35-year-old Philip Turner was convicted of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and illegal possession of a firearm during a trial at the Olmsted County Courthouse in August. Turner, who will begin serving his prison sentence at the St. Cloud State Prison, was given credit for the 318 days he has already spent in jail. He has also been ordered to pay $6000 in restitution.

The criminal complaint indicated the shooting at an apartment in the 500 block of 19th Street Northwest occurred in the presence of the 38-year-old victim's two young children. The court document says Turner left the residence around 8 PM Christmas Eve. His girlfriend was found the next morning and was rushed to St. Mary's Hospital after Rochester police conducted a welfare check at the request of the father of the two children. He had become concerned because he was unable to reach her to discuss a planned child custody exchange.

When the officers arrived at the scene, a five-year-old child opened the door and let them in, which led to the discovery of their mother suffering from a gunshot wound to her head on the floor of a bedroom. Court records say a spent shell casing from a .380 caliber gun was also found inside the apartment along with a live round of the same type of ammunition. A two-year-old child was also found in the residence. The criminal complaint says the children were unharmed.

The charges also stated that Turner had a loaded .380 handgun magazine in his possession when he was arrested. A K9 also located a matching semi-automatic pistol in the snow near Turner's apartment.