POTSDAM — As of Tuesday afternoon, the Justice for Garrett Reward Fund, an offering in exchange for information leading to the arrest of Garrett J. Phillips’ killer, has been closed.
Garrett was a sixth-grader at A.A. Kingston Middle School when neighbors reported hearing screams and cries for help at North Country Manor Apartments, 100 Market St., on Oct. 24, 2011.
He was found strangled at the apartment and was pronounced dead at Canton-Potsdam Hospital, Potsdam, that evening.
The call for justice over Garrett’s death began that night with his uncle, Brian A. Phillips, who started the Justice for Garrett fund.
Following a bench trial that began on Sept. 12 and lasted seven days, former Clarkson University men’s soccer coach Oral “Nick” Hillary, then 42, was found not guilty of second-degree murder in the case, in which he had been accused of strangling 12-year-old Garrett between 4:56 and 5:30 p.m. at his apartment where he lived with his mother, Tandy L. Cyrus, and younger brother, Aaron Collins.
Presiding Judge Felix J. Catena found Mr. Hillary not guilty after a week of deliberation in the bench trial.
Judge Catena said he found the evidence in the case 100 percent circumstantial.
Now the fund, which amounted to $35,735.16 at the time of its closing, has been donated to clubs and organizations from which Garrett benefitted during his time at Potsdam Central Schools.
“Our family discussed where we could dissolve the fund and put it in Garrett’s name,” Mr. Phillips said Wednesday evening at the Potsdam High School gymnasium. “We would have much rather used the fund for what it was set up to do, but seeing as that didn’t happen, we’re donating it. I’m 100 percent sure Garrett will never get justice, so that’s why we decided to close the account.”
The family presented eight checks to several school-related organizations Wednesday afternoon at Potsdam High School, including the Potsdam Mentoring Program at A.A. Kingston Middle School, the school’s booster club and several sports organizations.
“Sports was everything to that kid,” Mr. Phillips said.
The Phillips family donated the majority of the fund — just less than $23,000 — toward the Garrett Phillips Athletic Memorial Scholarship.
The amount is to support a $500 scholarship for athletes —one female, one male — in their senior year at Potsdam High School — for many years to come.
“I really want to express how thankful I am to all who had contributed to this reward fund, including Duane Curtis, who helped me set it up,” Mr. Phillips said. “If anyone in the future wanted to give a donation in Garrett’s name, they can donate to the Garrett Phillips Athletic Memorial Scholarship.”