Philip Mathew pleads no contest, receives LWOP

Philip Mathew accepts a plea deal with the State, pleading no contest and in exchange receiving a sentence of life imprisonment without parole.

In 2020, Philip Mathew stabbed his wife in the parking lot outside the Broward County hospital where she worked as a nurse and then ran her over before fleeing the scene. She died shortly after being transported to receive medical care. When Mathew was arrested, he had self-inflicted knife wounds on his arms and hands. According to news articles from 2020, Mathew confessed to the crime.

Mathew was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault. The State sought the death penalty for the first-degree murder charge.

Mathew had not yet been tried. The docket reflects the defense sought continuances ahead of trial and was engaged in discovery. The docket does not reflect any litigation related to the application of Florida’s 2023 capital sentencing scheme to Mathew’s case.

On Friday, according to reporting by the Sun Sentinel, Mathew accepted a plea deal with the State.

Under the deal, Mathew pleaded no contest in exchange for the State agreeing to remove the death penalty. According to the Sun Sentinel, Mathew was immediately sentenced to life in prison without parole. The docket reflects that a hearing was held on Mathew’s plea on Friday - but no other details.