Athens man Phillip Scruggs gets life in prison for setting girlfriend on fire

Feb 22, 2011 - 21:17
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Athens man Phillip Scruggs gets life in prison for setting girlfriend on fire
Phillip Scruggs

An Athens man will spend the rest of his life in prison for killing his girlfriend by setting her on fire nearly two years ago, the Athens Banner-Herald has reported.

Phillip Scruggs received the maximum sentence of life without parole after a jury found him guilty of murdering Elissa Denise ”Lisa Davenport, the Banner-Herald said.

Clarke County Superior Court Judge Steve Jones Tuesday afteoon.

Scruggs doused Davenport with a flammable liquid and set her on fire inside her apartment at Bethel Midtown Village on Aug. 18, 2009, the Banner-Herald said. The 42-year-old single mother with three grandchildren died 12 days later, having suffered bus on about 60 percent of her body, the newspaper said..

After a week-long trial, jurors found Scruggs guilty of malice murder, three counts of felony murder, aggravated assault with intent to commit murder, first-degree arson and aggravated assault, according to the Banner-Herald.

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Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher is a Georgia-based freelance journalist covering local news, community developments, and regional issues that matter most to residents across the state. Writing for Georgianewsday.com since 2016, Mike has built a reputation for clear, balanced reporting and a strong connection to the communities he serves. His work spans city council decisions, school board updates, small business features, public safety reports, and statewide policy changes. In addition to local coverage, Mike occasionally reports on state politics and national headlines, offering readers context on how broader decisions impact Georgia communities. Known for his steady, fact-driven approach, Mike prioritizes accuracy, fairness, and accessibility in every story. Whether covering a town hall meeting or breaking political developments, he aims to inform readers with clarity and integrity. Outside the newsroom, Mike remains actively engaged in Georgia’s civic landscape, always seeking the next story that shapes the state’s future.