Philip Montrose was the prime suspect in the murder of beloved schoolteacher and moonlighting promiscuous sex club client Marnie Owens.
History[]
Montrose was known for having a series of domestic abuse charges towards his now ex-wife, who eventually left with their two kids to her parents'. He also stalked another woman to her home in Connecticut, though his lawyer got it knocked down to a minor trespassing charge.
Montrose began a fling with Marnie Owens, with her introducing him to the sex club. Although Montrose had various encounters with other women, he became fixated on Owens and it was known to all at the club. Soon, Owens become uncomfortable with him and cut off their fling but he didn't take it well and began stalking her everywhere she went, while keeping it in a scrapbook. However, when he showed up at her job, this led to him getting a warning from security and he never appeared there again.
Eventually, Montrose broke into Owens' apartment, where he raped and killed her in a fit of rage. He stuck around the crime scene, pretending to be a witness and misleading the curious Ethan Chance into going inside, causing the boy to be a suspect. Montrose later attended Owens' funeral, as a way of taunting her even to the grave.
He was eventually brought in for questioning at the sex club he frequented. Montrose initially lied that he and Owens had a certain arrangement, but SVU suspected more and found out not only had he attended the funeral, but Ethan recognized him from the crime scene. The detectives looked into Montrose's past and discovered his history of domestic abuse and stalking, with a DNA test confirming his guilt. He vehemently denied the accusation and in court, brought up Owens' sex life, alleging that her death was caused by someone else due to her promiscuous reputation and even victim-blaming her. However, Cabot was able to destroy his defense by bringing up his harassment and stalking of women, with his lawyer unable to object.
At the trial, Montrose was found guilty of manslaughter and imprisoned with a lighter sentence, though A.D.A Cabot believed in time that he will reflect on his actions. (SVU: "Secrets")