Ex-NFL running back Lawrence Phillips faces death penalty

Former NFL running back Lawrence Phillips might now be facing the death penalty in the alleged killing of his former cellmate at a California prison.

The Kern County, California, District Attorney's office initially sought a maximum of life in prison without parole when it filed charges in August. But prosecuting attorney Andi Bridges said new evidence was discovered during the ongoing investigation.

Phillips, 40, is already serving 31 years for driving his car into three teenagers and assaulting an ex-girlfriend.

Phillips allegedly murdered his former cellmate Damon Soward in April, but claimed he did so in self-defense.

Phillips, a former star at the University of Nebraska, was the sixth overall pick in the 1996 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams. His career was short-lived however, as he last played in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers in 1999.