Police: Woman mouthed ‘I love you’ as son strangled her

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — A man has been ordered to stand trial on charges he killed his 85-year-old mother and hid her body on state game lands.

Authorities say 51-year-old Frederick Phillips Jr. strangled Anna Phillips in her home near Johnstown early last month because she threatened to tell his parole officer about his drinking. He was held for trial yesterday on murder and related crimes.

Upper Yoder Township Police Chief Walter Howell says Mr. Phillips said his mother mouthed "I love you" as he strangled her.

Chief Howell says Mr. Phillips prayed for his mother, then dumped her body on game lands near the border of Cambria and Westmoreland counties. Her body was found Oct. 19.

Mr. Phillips was arrested after he crashed his pickup in Buckhannon, W.Va.