Trial set to begin in stabbing case

By Staff (89984)

Saturday, June 11, 2011
© Copyright 2013 Gwinnett Daily Post

Phillip Dunn

LAWRENCEVILLE -- The man accused of fatally stabbing his estranged wife outside a Suwanee Walmart is scheduled to face trial in Gwinnett County Superior Court this week.

Phillip "Chad" Dunn, 29, is accused of killing wife Shelley, 27, on Valentine's Day 2010, reportedly questioning her about another man during a custody swap outside the store before stabbing her three times in the back with a kitchen knife.

The couple's daughters, ages 8 and 6 at the time, saw it all, officials said.

According to an investigator's testimony during a previous hearing, Dunn told his eldest daughter just hours before the attack that "her mommy had killed him inside."

The incident came amid marital turbulence. Dunn had been arrested on battery and aggravated assault charges earlier in the week for allegedly beating his wife. She had since moved out and begun dating again, according to previous testimony.

Having recently been evaluated for mental illness in Barrow County, Dunn was placed on suicide watch at the Gwinnett County Jail upon being arrested, police said.

Assistant District Attorney Christa Kirk confirmed Friday that the trial was scheduled to go ahead as planned, saying she did not anticipate any pleas or continuances.

Defense attorney David Clark could not be reached for comment Friday.

Gwinnett Daily Post