Gulfport man sentenced to life for first-degree murder

A Gulfport man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in the 2021 death of another man.

Fifty-three-year-old Phillip Collins was initially arrested back in November 2021 after the daughter of James Higgins found him dead at his Gulfport home.

During the investigation, police learned Collins was the last person seen with Higgins.

Collins was also accused of providing false information that Higgins was on vacation or asleep inside his home.

Collins tried to justify his actions as self-defense, but evidence did not substantiate his claims.

He will now serve out his life sentence in MDOC custody.