BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS ) – A trial pertaining to the events of a June shooting at a Raleigh County apartment reached its conclusion this week.
According to Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney Ben Hatfield, the defendant, Andrew Wayne Miller – 32 years old, formerly of Charleston, WV – was found guilty on Thursday afternoon of charges in relation to the events which occurred at the Hangrove Apartment of Niesha Dotson on June 2, 2022.
Miller’s testimony followed a Jury View ordered by Judge Kirkpatrick during which attorneys, defendants, and the jury hearing the case viewed the apartment in which the victim, Anthony Goard was shot.
Though he testified to his own presence at the scene of the incident on June 2, 2023, Miller alleged that Jason Thompson, another individual at the apartment at the time of the shooting, was responsible for the act in question.
Miller when questioned as to why, given his purported innocence, he had provided a false name to Officer Sweetster when contact was made in the wake of the shooting, Miller stated that he was reluctant to provide accurate information due to having been on probation as well as the nature of the crime he had witnessed.
The defendant could not provide an adequate explanation for a firearm containing his DNA having been discovered mere feet from where he had made contact with Officer Sweetster. Miller further states that no eyewitnesses to the incident were credible due to their having been under the influence of drugs at the time.
Shortly after, the jury returned a verdict of “guilty” for one count of wanton endangerment with a firearm, one count of malicious wounding, and one count felon in possession of a firearm.
On Friday, a recidivism hearing was held for the defendant with regard to additional offenses perpetrated. Miller, early on, requested to fire his council and proceed acting as his own attorney.
The jury was provided evidence to identify Miller as a defendant previously convicted of felony crimes in April 2010 for Attempted First Degree Murder with the use of a Firearm in Kanawha County.
Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney, Don Morris testified in Court that Miller was the subject of this Kanawha County conviction, identifying him in court and advising that he knew him by the nickname A4.
Miller had also been convicted of Burglary, Kidnapping, Attempt to Commit First Degree Murder, Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm and Wanton Endangerment Involving a Firearm in Raleigh County. Investigating officer Jamie Blume with the Beckley Police Department identified Miller as the named Defendant of this Raleigh County Conviction.
Speaking to the jury on his own behalf, Miller asserted that despite his having done bad things in the past, the jury must review the law and evidence before making a decision.
A verdict was reached following “a very short deliberation,” and the jury confirmed that they believed Miller to have been defendant named in the Kanawha County conviction as well as the Raleigh County conviction.
Miller’s life sentence was addressed by Judge Kirkpatrick with regard to the recidivism, and the defendant was remanded the Southern Regional Jail.