Preliminary inquiry begins for accused murderer Brandon Phillips

A hearing began Monday in St. John's to determine if there's enough evidence for Brandon Phillips to proceed to trial on a charge of first-degree murder.

• Why Brandon Phillips is charged with first-degree murder
• Shooting at Captain's Quarters: New details emerge about Brandon Phillips' arrest

Phillips, 27, is alleged to have fatally shot Larry Wellman, 63, during an armed robbery at the Captain's Quarters Hotel in St. John's in October.

Wellman was a patron at the hotel bar at the time of the shooting and was said to have intervened in the robbery.

A preliminary inquiry began Monday morning at the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labradorin St. John's to determine if there's enough evidence for trial.

It's expected to last seven days.

The Department of Justice and Public Safety has called in lawyers from Nova Scotia to handle the prosecution, to avoid a potential conflict of interest.

Phillipsis also charged with armed robbery, committing an offence while disguised, assault with a weapon and carrying a firearm without a licence.

He is currently being held at Her Majesty's Penitentiary and has a list of people he is not allowed to contact, including his girlfriend Jade Ball.

Ball is the daughter of premier Dwight Ball.

Phillips is being represented by two well-known lawyers Jeff Brace and MarkGruchy who also representedLyndonButler and PhilipPynn, respectively, during their second-degree murder trial in 2014.

Pynn was convicted of a lesser charge of manslaughter in the death of Nicholas Winsor.

Butler was found not guilty on all charges.