Aspen socialite accused of car bombing her ex-husband

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Aspen Socialite Accused of Car-Bombing Her Ex-Husband
Aspen Socialite Accused of Car-Bombing Her Ex-Husband


An Aspen socialite is on trial for first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder after her ex-husband died from a bomb planted in his car. The crimes happened back in 1996. "Good Morning America" has more on the case that took 17 years to come to trial.

'Prosecutors say 56-year-old Pamela Phillips was accustomed to a lavish lifestyle.'

They say while she was married to real estate developer Gary Triano, she was treated to fancy cars and homes. After their divorce, the fortune began to dwindle.

Phillips allegedly hired a former boyfriend to kill her former husband with a car bomb.

Prosecutors allege Phillips' motive was to collect on Triano's $2 million life insurance policy.

According to the Arizona Daily Star, prosecutors accuse Phillips of paying Ronald Young $400,000 to kill her ex-husband. Young fled after Triano's death, but was arrested in 2005. In 2010, he was tried and convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.

Authorities also found documents making Phillips, who had moved abroad, an additional suspect.

'Authorities say she knew she was wanted, and through her attorneys said she would be turning herself in. She never did. She was arrested and extradited,' KVOA reports.

At the time, a judge found Phillips unfit to stand trial. But now, years later, the trial is underway and one man who was with Triano right before he died is taking the stand. Here's KGUN.

'Luis Ruben Lopez and Triano played a round of golf at the La Paloma Country Club. Lopez said he shook triano's hand in the parking lot, said goodbye and walked to his car. That's when he heard the explosion,' KGUN reported.

Triano died almost immediately from the planted pipe bomb. Phillips has pleaded not guilty, and the trial is expected to last six weeks.

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