For reasons not made public, bad blood developed between a Cumberland County man and one, if not two, of his four daughters. Whatever caused the rift, it spilled over into a fatal shooting by the father of one of the women.
It took only one witness for General Sessions Judge Larry Warner Thursday to rule during a preliminary hearing that there exists enough evidence to forward the case against Wayne Lawson Miller, 67, of 6677 Hwy. 70 E, to action of the grand jury.
Miller is accused of firing a shotgun blast through a door at his home that left his daughter, Rebecca Daigle, 41, dead on a back porch. Another daughter, Anita Miller, was present but was not injured.
During the hearing Tuesday, Sheriff's Lt. Casey Cox was the only witness to testify during the hearing that lasted less than one hour. He described the scene as he found it on Oct. 12, 2009, and read a signed statement the defendant gave the evening of the shooting.
Testimony indicated that the two daughters and the defendant shared a two-story home between Crab Orchard and Crossville, but that the two daughters were in the process of moving out.
In his statement, Miller told Cox and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Dan Friel that the night before, he was called by one of the daughters upstairs, and when he reached the second floor, he claims Rebecca pushed him down the stairs.
"I saw stars," Miller told investigators, adding that neither girl came to his aid as he lay there unconscious.
The next morning around 10 a.m. Miller told investigators he saw the women's vehicle turn into his driveway. Anita Miller told investigators the two women had spent the night elsewhere and had returned to retrieve clothing and move out.
Miller in his statement said he went to his bedroom and got a .16-gauge shotgun but had mistakenly picked up shells for a .12-gauge shotgun. He finally located the right shells, loaded the double-barrel shotgun and with his daughters holding the storm door open, knocking on the door and shouting an expletive, he fired both barrels.
"I was looking out the window and I just let it fly," the statement read.
One shot traveled through the door and into Rebecca Daigle's neck, leaving a golfball-size wound, Cox testified. Deputies later obtained a search warrant and found a .16-gauge shotgun lying on the bed.
Defense attorney Randal Boston had a rough drawing of the scene done by Cox entered into evidence and questioned the investigators about what officers were present and whether any of the patrol cars on the scene had video cameras operating.
Neither Boston nor Assistant District Attorney Allison Watson offered arguments at the end of the hearing.
Miller remains free on bond. Grand jury returns will be read on March 15.
Area News
'I just let it fly' — Fatal shooting suspect bound over to grand jury
- Area News
-
-
Satsuma Dr. annexation on council agenda
The Crossville City Council will discuss an annexation and abutment project for 29 parcels of property on Satsuma Dr. when it meets today at 4 p.m.
- Early voting period begins Wednesday
-
Looking Back
A weekly historical news feature.
-
Chronicle honored by ACS with media excellence award
The American Cancer Society is pleased to announce that the Crossville Chronicle has been recognized with the Lighthouse Award for Media Excellence in Tennessee by the American Cancer Society’s Mid-South Division.
-
Snow delays county tourney
-
Home invasion under investigation
Cumberland County sheriff's investigators are looking for three Overton Couny men in connection with an alleged home invasion that took place Sunday night in the Mayland area, according to reports.
-
Information sought on killing of two bald eagles
Approximately one year ago, in February 2011, a mature bald eagle was shot and killed in Bledsoe County, about one mile east of the intersection of Hwy. 101 and Big Springs Gap Road. A few weeks later, about 30 miles away, a second mature bald eagle was shot and killed in Cumberland County, east of Crossville in Crab Orchard. The eagle was discovered near the Crab Orchard School adjacent to Main St., close to the Old Easley Swimming Hole.
-
County OKs advertising funds for gun show
County commissioners on the budget committee approved a $2,113 amendment to pay for advertising costs for the Cumberland County Gun and Knife Show.
-
CMC to launch community health study
Cumberland Medical Center, with collaboration from other local health professionals, is working on a road map to health for the people of Cumberland County, identifying public health needs, goals, objectives and priorities.
-
Synthetic drugs ordinance now in effect
The Crossville City Council unanimously approved the third and final reading of two ordinances designed to police the sale and consumption of synthetic marijuana, bath salts and other synthetic materials within the city of Crossville.
- More Area News Headlines
-
Satsuma Dr. annexation on council agenda
Raw Video: Biden Greets Chinese VP for Visit
Raw Video: Heavy Shelling in Homs, Syria
Raw Video: 5 People Injured in Bangkok Blasts
Raw Video: Kim Jong Il Statue Unveiled
Trial Opens for Ala. Man in Bride's Diving Death
Baltimore's 'Crime Stopper' Is a Basketball Star
Raw Video: Hearse Arrives at N.J. Funeral Home
Authorities: Houston Found Underwater in Tub
Arm Wrestler Not Guilty Plea in Wife's Death
Raw Video: Houston Body Flown From L.A. to N.J.
First Person: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Obama's New Budget: The Winners and Losers
Gregoire: Marriage Equality Is Right for Wash.
Bacteria Keep Swimmers Off Some Fla. Beaches
Sandusky Can See Grandkids, Have Local Jury
Obama Unveils $3.8 Trillion Budget
Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked
Valentine Greetings Sent Worldwide From Loveland
Greek Austerity Measures Spark Riots
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
