WILMINGTON — The total number of charges faced by a Sabina-area murder suspect has gone up to six after the case was presented to a local grand jury.

The six counts against 38-year-old Phillip Taylor Haley are: two counts of special-felony murder, two counts of special-felony aggravated murder, one count of felonious assault (a felony of the second degree or F2), and one count of trespassing in a habitation (F4).

In addition, each of the six charges has a firearm specification attached to it. Ohio’s firearm specification statute imposes a mandatory three-year prison term for criminal offenses committed using a firearm. The purpose of the specification is to add to the punishment of criminals who use a firearm while committing a crime, and to deter criminals from using firearms.

Haley originally was charged with murder and felonious assault.

As the News Journal has previously reported, Haley allegedly shot 23-year-old Zachary Dennis Parrott in late December at the State Route 729 residence of Haley’s estranged wife. Gunshots were fired after an altercation between Haley and Parrott allegedly occurred.

Law enforcement officers indicate they found Parrott lying on his back with gunshot wounds to his upper right chest and lower right abdomen, states the affidavit.

Ms. Kari Haley told law enforcement she did not see her husband with a gun that day, but said he is a CCW holder and normally keeps a handgun in his waistband. When officers arrived on scene, they found him outside the house and next to his truck. The suspect indicated his firearm was secure in his truck, states the affidavit.

Phillip Haley is next scheduled to be in court on April 22 for a hearing in the Common Pleas Courtroom on pretrial motions.

On Feb. 22, a separate civil suit was filed in Clinton County Common Pleas Court by an attorney for Kenneth Parrott of Mansfield, in which Kenneth Parrott as plaintiff sues Phillip Taylor Haley and Kari Haley, and additionally lists “John Doe(s)” in the lawsuit, regarding the death of Zachary Parrott.