Inmate convicted of murder in Knox County dies in prison

TECUMSEH, Neb. -- An inmate serving a second-degree murder charge out of northeast Nebraska has died in prison.

74-year-old Phillip Privett died Friday at Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI). 

Privett’s sentence began on May 26, 2015. He was serving a 40 to 60 year sentence for second-degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony out of Knox County. The conviction came a result of his wife's death at their home in Verdigre in 2014.

Privett had a parole eligibility date of April 18, 2037, and a tentative release date of December 14, 2046.

While the cause of death has not yet been determined, Privett was being treated for a medical condition. As is the case whenever an inmate dies in the custody of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, a grand jury will conduct an investigation.