March 12, 2015-  Commonwealth v Tabu Phillips:  A Dauphin County Jury found Tabu N. Phillips, aka Tabu McClure,  guilty of Firearm and Body Armor offenses on March 12, 2015.  The case stems from the December 22, 2011 arrest of Tabu Phillips by the Harrisburg Police.  Police were originally dispatched to a domestic incident on North 14th Street in the city of Harrisburg.  When Officers Chris Thomas and Terry Wealand arrived, they discovered a female assault victim bleeding from the head area.  Mr. Phillips, who was previously convicted of a drug dealing offense in 2000, was also present attempting to leave the area.  A loaded .32 caliber revolver was found in the residence and Mr. Phillips was found to be wearing a camouflaged body armor vest that contained bullets matching those found within the revolver.  It is illegal to wear body armor in Pennsylvania during the commission of a felony.  Mr. Phillips is not permitted to possess a firearm due to his prior criminal record.  Mr. Phillips is facing up to 17 years in state prison when he is sentenced later this month by Dauphin County Judge Scott Evans.  The delay in the case stems from Mr. Phillips appealing his initial conviction and being granted a new trial by the state Superior Court due to a technicality.  The prosecutor in the case, Senior Deputy District Attorney Stephen R. Zawisky, indicated that illegal gun possession is a major problem that must be countered by significant state prison sentences.  Zawisky stated: “If you are a former felon, you lose your right to possess a firearm.  If you get caught with one, you are going to state prison.”