And while that is the outline of the case, what about the woman in the middle of it all? 28 year old Denise Stuart is Tillett's Ex Common Law and the mother of four of his children.
She is also the mother of one child for Darwin Phillips. So with the father of four of her children headed to prison on a murder charge, and the father of her fifth child headed to the cemetery, what is her view on the entire mess?
Monica Bodden spoke with her today to find out more:….
It made headlines on the local news media countrywide - the death of 22 year old Darwin Phillips.
It was reported as a love triangle -gone bad. Where the young man was stabbed to death for messing with another man's woman.
But according to the woman in the middle -Denise Stuart - those reports and speculations on the news are false. Darwin Phillips was her boyfriend - while Vincent Tillett was just her ex common law husband and the father of her 4 children.
Today she walked us through on Sunday night's fatal episode.
Denise Stuart - Darwin's Girlfriend
"We were here just watching a movie and Steno (her ex- common law husband) wasn't here because he doesn't live here. he came and took my two sons Daniel and Gabriel and while he took them a while after he will drop off the kids so I curse him and told him that he doesn't have to call my phone to tell me that. A while afterwards going towards 7 pm he came and we didn't know he came because his car don't usually make noise. He came and he open the door, I thought it was one of my sons that open the door, we weren't paying the door any mind because we were watching the movie and talking about the movie and when he came he went straight into the kitchen. I don't know what he went to do in the kitchen. He then come right out and knock Darwin in the chest because Darwin was sitting on this side here. When I look was because his hand was on top of Darwin's chest and I saw him lifting up his hand. When he lift up his hand I saw Darwin jump up, he had a plate of food in is hand."
Monica Bodden
"You thought that it was just a punch?"
Denise Stuart - Darwin's Girlfriend
"I thought that it just a punch yes because I didn't see anything in his hand."
But it wasn't just a punch. Darwin Phillips was fatally stabbed to the chest just a day after his twenty second birthday.
Denise Stuart - Darwin's Girlfriend
"Darwin got up and was standing by the door over that side where my son is sitting on the floor. I see Darwin lift his shirt and I ask him what happen, he used a curse word and lift his shirt and then I see the blood running from his chest."
Monica Bodden
"Where was Steeno at this point?"
Denise Stuart - Darwin's Girlfriend
"I wasn't paying attention, I guess they were somewhere back at this door, don't know what was taking place back here because I was here with Darwin. So I told Darwin to go through the back door and I will meet you on the other side. When I told his that I open my back window and then I look through the window and saw Darwin across the street. I don't know how he got across the street so fast."
That was where Darwin collapsed. The 22 year old was rushed to the hospital where he died minutes later.
According to Stuart, one of her sons - who Tillett was dropping off on Sunday night - told her - he took the knife - which he used to stab Darwin - from out a compartment in his vehicle before he entered the house.
Denise Stuart - Darwin's Girlfriend
"My son says that when Steeno brought him back he saw when Steeno took the knife out of the drawers in the car and he put it behind in his pants and then he come upstairs. I guess he knew that Darwin was here because he saw the bicycle and he know that I do not have any bicycle like that."
Stuart says, even though she was separated from Tillett - he was still allowed to come around to see his four children.
Denise Stuart - Darwin's Girlfriend
"He doesn't live here along with me. i don't stop him from coming here because i have kids for him and he doesn't treat me bad or anything like that right. So I would never stop him from coming around to see his children. Sometime he is here with them. He carry them to Sand Hill and around and so and i don't know what really took place that day what really got into him or anything like that."
And while the rumors of her having both men is flying around - she says that was never the case.
Denise Stuart - Darwin's Girlfriend
"A young lady that got interview says that the man must have seen me on top of the young man; that young lady just move in this neighborhood she doesn't know anything about me and she doesn't know anything that is going on in my life. She is just listening to rumors and hears people doing sketchy stories and she end up saying at the end that was how the story is. She doesn't know anything about me."
Monica Bodden
"So you and Steeno never was together but you guys had an understanding because you had 4 children together?"
Denise Stuart - Darwin's Girlfriend
"Yes ma'am, i told him no problem if he wants to come here but no interfere with anybody that comes here to see me and I always tell him that. If Steeno wants to tell you the truth Steeno can tell you that. I told him there is no problem if you come here because I don't have any problem if you come to see your kids."
Today we caught up with Darwin's father.
Gerald Phillips, Father of Deceased
"I am not aware in any way whether she was having an affair with the two men. My understanding is that the other relationship has been cut off and Darwin was the gentleman per say."
Today the entire family is grieving the death of their loved one.
Gerald Phillips, Father of Deceased
"Well I guess like any other parent I am already sad, i am already frustrated that he lost his life so young the way it happens. I guess as we go along I will understand and will know how much more grief I will have to bear."
Monica Bodden
"From what you remembered, what kind of son was he?"
Gerald Phillips, Father of Deceased
"Well, to my way of thinking there was some things; the way he dress. I wasn't happy with it but as far as his personality goes, he was somebody who was always trying to me to kiss him and to hug him because he always use to come and hug me and say 'I love you Phillay" and I guess sometimes I didn't approve of his actions I didn't respond the way I now realize I should have with more love."
Denise Stuart - Darwin's Girlfriend
"I just want to clear my name and let those people who know who are talking a lot of foolishness that I would never do something like that to Darwin. I would prefer Darwin over Steeno any day and Steeno knows it and that's why Steeno must have gotten frustrated because Steeno know that Darwin was my first choice and I didn't want Steeno anymore. This is going on for like two years now right and like he is trying to force something that is not working any at all. I just hope that he pays for what he did. I really hope that he pays for what he did."
Gerald Phillips, Father of Deceased
"What I can see right now is that the idea of justice isn't a prevailing thought with my loss. Justice will be serve either here or there after. Right now it's just the loss I am thinking of and I guess after the burial and then we can think about other things."
The Funeral for Darwin Phillips will be held on Thursday in Ladyville…
