The Philip Reynolds Case: Setting the Record Straight
Reynolds may not remain in the Arkansas State Hospital
[Editor's Note: This story contains information, obtained from court documents, that alleges a violent, graphic and disturbing chain of events.]
After five years, the Philip Reynolds’ murder case in Grant County is closed.
Reynolds was charged with five counts in 2019:
Capital Murder
Criminal Attempt – two counts
Aggravated Assault
Battery 1st Degree
A jury trial was scheduled and rescheduled several times. It never occurred.
At a May 7 hearing in Grant County, Circuit Court Judge Stephen Shirron of the 7th Judicial Circuit ruled — based on an Arkansas State Hospital psychologist’s March evaluation of Reynolds and her in-person testimony — that Reynolds “is acquitted on the grounds of lack of criminal responsibility.”
Shirron wrote in a Judge Note that Reynolds is “ordered to be committed to the custody of the AR Dept. of Human Svcs.” The clerk will submit a copy of the final order to the Arkansas Crime Information Center.
A final order by the state of Arkansas was entered into the record concerning the Reynolds case on May 21.
Sheridan’s local newspaper reported in a story on Page 3 in its May 22 issue: “As part of the court order, Reynolds will remain in the custody of the state hospital.”
South Arkansas Reckoning received numerous calls and emails from Grant County residents questioning whether Reynolds would actually remain in the state hospital after they read the local paper.
Prosecuting Attorney Teresa Howell represented the state in the Reynolds’ case. The May 21 order from her office did not specifically say Reynolds would remain in the state hospital.
South Arkansas Reckoning had to send several emails to Howell before receiving an answer.
Howell finally responded on Thursday afternoon.
That judicial system is in Pulaski County where the Arkansas State Hospital is located.
Act 911
Act 911 of 1989 provides the acquitted certain obligations and processes before being released.
Reynolds may qualify for release under Act 911.
In fact, as early as January 2022 Reynolds, a former criminal defense attorney and district attorney in Texas with a law degree from Southern Methodist University, discussed the possibility of the 911 program with psychologists at the Arkansas State Hospital that was reported to the Court in a “Fitness to Proceed Report.”
South Arkansas Reckoning obtained these documents under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.
On Page 6 of the report under “Ability to Work with Counsel”, the psychologist wrote that in a previous evaluation Reynolds was frustrated with the psychologist’s opinions about his delusions and that his attitude could fracture his ability to work with his defense team.
In the January report, Reynolds “had significantly changed his perspective. He reported, ‘I see things very differently’ and ‘I see that I’ve been suffering from a mental illness for a long time.’ He also noted he was willing to consider a plea of not guilty by reason of mental disease and defect and placement on the 911 program.’”
That wasn’t the only time Reynolds mentioned remaining some place other than the Arkansas State Hospital.
Reynolds underwent another evaluation on July 14, 2022, for a “Violence Risk Assessment Report.” In that report under “Risk Management Risk Variables”, Reynolds reported “that if he was discharged from ASH, he considered two primary options: Mid-South and Birch Tree. Between the two, he hoped to go to Birch Tree ‘because of the location’ which was near his family. He stated he hoped to continue receiving services there for treatment and care. As a result, there were no indications of the risk for Future Problems with Professional Services and Plan.
“Similarly, given his hope to go to Birch Tree, there would be no concern for the first factor of Future Problems with Living Situation. If he was accepted, his living situation is expected to be stable, he would have adaquate housing, the would be adaquately secured and supervised, and the environment and residence is expected to be safe.”
Mid-South Health Systems (now under the umbrella of Arisa Health) has locations across Arkansas. Birch Tree Communities, Inc., is based in Benton with locations in several cities including Malvern.
According to its website, “Birch Tree Communities, Inc. is a non-profit behavioral health program which provides therapeutic community services and residential options for adults (18+) diagnosed with a serious mental illness. We serve approxipately 400 members across the state of Arkansas with a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder. Our services include, but are not limited to rehabilitative day treatment, group and individual therapy, medication managment, and group and transitional housing.”
Background on the Reynolds’ Case
On March 28, 2019, according to police reports, several 911 calls were made regarding Reynolds’ behavior on March 28, 2019. One caller “advised that shots had been fired.” When law enforcement arrived, they found Jerry Mauldin with a gunshot wound in the leg. Reynolds began firing a weapon at Grant County deputies. The deputies returned fire, hitting Reynolds.
“Mr. Reynolds then retreated to his residence where he fired additional shots at the deputies. He then fled into the nearby woods and later surrendered. When Mr. Reynolds was arrested, he stated to officers that “Massey was dead. He died a hero protecting his kids.” Mauldin was transported to Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Reynolds was medflighted to Little Rock. Neither deputy was injured.
Officers discovered Massey’s body near Reynolds’ home. They observed numerous shotgun shell casings around the body and a long-handled brush axe nearby.
“Officers observed apparent sharp trauma and gunshot injuries to the body. The body appeared to have been partially burned and four fingers had been severed from the victim's left hand, lying nearby were two propane torches and a 5-gallon bucket containing diesel fuel. Officers then entered the residence and observed what appeared to be large amounts of blood stain and spatter throughout the house. The victim was later identified as Patrick Massey. He had suffered nine different gunshot wounds, multiple sharp-force trauma injuries including stab wounds, and his body was burned post-mortem.”
The Massey Family
Ann Massey, the wife of Patrick Massey who Reynolds murdered on March 28, 2019, released a statement to South Arkansas Reckoning about Reynolds and the final decision in the criminal case.
“The Massey Family and other victims in this case have been told for years that Philip Reynolds would never be released. When I asked about the ACT 911 of 1989 program, I was told that would never happen. He may not be in prison, but he would never be released into society again because he was too dangerous. On March 28, 2019, in one way or the other everyone involved received a life sentence because in one way or another the rest of their lives had been impacted. On May 7, 2024, at approximately 3:10 p.m. we all received our second life sentence even though we committed no crimes because now we get to spend the rest of our lives living in fear that Philip Reynolds may walk the streets again.”
Read previous articles from our ongoing investigation into the Philip Reynolds case here:
Definitely a case to keep an eye on should he be released.