CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WOWK) — The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has upheld the 2022 conviction of the man who killed Charleston police officer Cassie Johnson.

That’s according to Attorney General J.B. McCuskey. His office said that “Phillips had claimed self-defense during the trial. The circuit court sentenced Phillips to 40-years imprisonment for second-degree murder, plus a consecutive six-months for drug possession.”

The high court unanimously rejected the appeal meaning his second degree murder conviction and 40 year sentence will stand.

Phillips shot Johnson during a routine traffic stop on Garrison Avenue back in December 2020. Johnson was was 28 years old. She died a few days after she was shot.

The West Virginia Attorney General Criminal Appellate Division represented the state during the appeal of the conviction made by the Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

“Today’s unanimous decision by the supreme court affirms the serious consequences for harming our brave men and women of law enforcement,” Attorney General J.B. McCuskey said.

In addition to the circuit court sentence of 40-years imprisonment for second-degree murder, Phillips was given a consecutive six-months for drug possession.