A Walterboro man faces life in prison without parole after a jury convicted him Tuesday in 14th Judicial Circuit Court of committing second-degree arson in 2007.

It took the jury less than two hours of deliberation to deliver the verdict on 47-year-old Lawrence Phillips, who was accused of burning down his own mobile home last year. He had 18 prior criminal convictions since 1979, including burglary, escape, grand larceny and other instances of arson.

The sentence, ruled to be appropriate after assistant solicitor Amanda Stilley successfully led arguments for the stiff penalty, was handed down by 14th Circuit Court Judge Perry Buckner.

The conviction was an initial victory for the Career Criminals Prosecution Program, implemented by 14th Judicial Circuit Solicitor Duffy Stone in April. The program was designed to enact stronger penalties for repeat offenders and is headed by Stilley and deputy solicitor Sean Thornton.

“I can’t say I’m surprised with how quickly things progressed with the trial,” Thornton said. “We feel we had a strong case, and we really pleased to get this conviction.”

Colleton County Fire-Rescue Director Barry McRoy said he was content with the verdict handed down.

“I’m glad to see that (Phillips) will be going to jail, and that he will be off the streets,” said Colleton County Fire-Rescue Director Barry McRoy. “I was really pleased that it was prosecuted all the way to the end. This was a team effort from top to bottom from our fire investigation team right up to the solicitor’s office.

“Arsonists not only damage property, but they put firefighters at risk, so I hope this sends a good signal for the future.”