San Antonio man gets 99 years for murdering aunt in heated debit card dispute

SAN ANTONIO - According to The Bexar County Criminal District Attorney Joe D. Gonzales, Michael Phipps, 46, was sentenced to 99 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) for murdering his Aunt, Becca Ibarra, 69.

The sentence was determined by the jury late Thursday afternoon in the 399th District Court with Judge Jefferson Moore.

Defendant Phipps will have to serve at least 30 years o his sentence before being eligible for parole.

On June 4, 2019, The Bexar County Sheriff's deputies responded to a shooting in Castle Hills.

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Three women were inside the home and one was injured when deputies arrived. EMS on the scene gave resuscitation efforts on the woman who had suffered a gunshot wound to the chest.

A witness was able to inform deputies that the victim and Phipps argued over her refusal to give up her debit card to him and shot her.

Micheal Phipps claimed that his actions were self-defense and after careful examination, the jury reached a verdict of guilt for murder.

During the punishment phase, the victim's brother, husband, and two sons testified providing insight into Phipp's temperament and history of brandishing firearms in previous incidents.

“Michael Phipps faced the consequences of his extreme action and faced justice,” said Bexar County Criminal District Attorney Joe Gonzales, “Becca Ibarra did not deserve to die, but Phipps definitely deserves to spend a very long time in a prison cell.”

The Family Violence Division’s trial team consisted of Assistant District Attorneys Bridgett Clay and Casey Sandoval, along with Investigator Micha Binkley and Victims’ Advocate Adela Saucedo.