WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. -- The son of an 85-year-old woman, whose decomposed body was found on state game lands in Westmoreland County, was in court on Monday to face homicide charges.

Fred Phillips is accused of killing his mother, Anna Phillips, and then dumping her body near Game Land 42 in Fairfield Township. Her body was found in a remote wooded area off Menoher Boulevard/Route 271, about a mile from her Johnstown home.

At Monday's preliminary hearing, Phillips did not testify. But his words were read aloud by investigators, to whom he gave a written and signed confession about why he killed his mother, and how he got rid of her body.

Prosecutors said Fred Phillips told investigators he became enraged when his mother told him she was going to call his parole officer because he had been drinking. Investigators also said Phillips was angry over comments his mother made about his daughter.

Police said Phillips strangled and beat his mother so badly, her family had to identify her remains from a ring she was wearing.

Phillips also told investigators that as she was dying, his mother mouthed the words "I love you."

Phillips is pleading not guilty to homicide charges. When asked by Channel 4 Action News if he wanted to say anything to his family, Phillips said "I'm sorry and I love them." When Channel 4 asked if Phillips wished it wouldn't have happened he replied "yes."

Family members said Anna Phillips was the only person who would give her son a chance.

Phillips, a convicted rapist who has been in and out of prison for the last 30 years, came to live with her in June of 2008.

He told police he couldn't find a job and started drinking. When his mother threatened to call his parole officer, Phillips told police he strangled her.

Police said Phillips told them after he left her body in Westmoreland County, he visited her remains every day for a week, before a drinking binge ended in a DUI crash in West Virginia where he was arrested.

"His truck was looked at by the FBI, so we'll be waiting to confirm that her body was in fact in the truck," said Cambria County District Attorney Pat Kiniry.

A judge ordered there is enough evidence put Phillips on trial, unless a plea agreement is reached first. Prosecutors said they're considering seeking the death penalty in the case.

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