White supremacist convicted of killing Jewish inmate in Illinois prison

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — An inmate at an Illinois prison has been convicted of murder and hate crime in the killing of a fellow inmate in 2020.

Brandon Simonson, 41, of Moorhead, Minnesota, was found guilty of second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, hate crime, and assault in the death of Matthew Phillips.

Prosecutors said Simonson, also known as “Whitey,” and another prisoner, Kristopher Martin, 43, conspired to beat Phillips because he was Jewish. Both men beat Phillips while incarcerated at the Thomson Penitentiary to gain membership in a white supremacist prison gang known as the Valhalla Bound Skinheads.

Evidence presented at the seven-day trial in the U.S. District Court in Rockford showed that on March 2nd, 2020, Simonson punched and kicked Phillips in the face and head, even after he was unconscious.

Phillips died of his injuries three days later. He had been serving a sentence for distributing heroin and money laundering.

Martin pleaded guilty to the crime earlier this year and is awaiting sentencing.

“We are grateful to the jury for delivering justice in a very difficult case for Mr. Phillips’ family and the people of the Northern District of Illinois,” said U.S. Attorney Boutros. “The significant convictions in this case are the result of the extraordinary dedication and commitment of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners. We will not tolerate criminal acts such as these anywhere in our district, including in our prison system.”