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Thread: Urshawn Eric Miller - Tennessee Death Row

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    Urshawn Eric Miller - Tennessee Death Row


    Ahmad Dhalai




    New trial date set in Bull Market homicide

    By Maranda Faris
    The Jackson Sun

    Urshawn Miller is scheduled for trial in March after a hearing Wednesday morning in a robbery and shooting last November that left a gas station clerk dead.

    Miller's new trial is scheduled for March 20 before Judge Don Allen.

    Allen also denied a motion for a change of venue in the case.

    Miller is scheduled to appear Jan. 10 for a status hearing.

    Miller was indicted in May on charges of first-degree murder in perpetration of a felony, attempted especially aggravated robbery, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault, employing a firearm during the attempt to commit a dangerous felony, convicted felon in possession of a firearm, resisting arrest and evading arrest.

    Prosecutors with the District Attorney's Office have filed a motion to seek the death penalty or life without parole if Miller is found guilty of murder, court documents say.

    Miller was previously convicted of multiple felonies and the death of clerk Ahmad Dhalai was "knowingly committed," during the attempted aggravated robbery, court documents say.

    Court documents say Miller attempted to rob Bull Market gas station on Hollywood Drive at Arlington Avenue on Nov. 25, 2015, before shooting Dhalai and running into the woods behind Classic Bowling Lane on Arlington Avenue.

    Police repeatedly ordered Miller out of the woods, eventually deploying a K-9. Court documents say Miller choked the K-9 and was tasered in a struggle.

    A gun that matched the .38-caliber handgun was recovered with three spent shell casings and three live rounds, as well as clothing worn during the attempted robbery, was found in the area, court documents say.

    http://www.jacksonsun.com/story/news...cide/94669986/

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    March trial may be reset in Bull Market homicide

    By Maranda Faris
    The Jackson Sun

    Urshawn Miller will have to return to court at least one more time before he sees a trial this year.

    Miller, 28, is facing the death penalty in the death of Ahmed Dhalai, a clerk at Bull Market on Hollywood Drive.

    Miller is charged with first-degree murder in perpetration of a felony, attempted especially aggravated robbery, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault, employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, convicted felon in possession of a handgun, resisting arrest and evading arrest.

    George Googe, Miller's attorney, said a March 20 trial date set last year will likely be continued because of the nature of the case.

    DA may seek death penalty in Bull Market killing

    "That was the trial date that court said hoping that everything could be ready then," Googe said. "If this had not been a death penalty case, that would have been a possibility."

    But because the state filed a motion seeking the death penalty or life without the possibility of parole for Miller, Googe said extra work has to be done on both sides to prepare.

    Googe said Miller's background and mental health, among other things, have to be looked into by experts as a part of the case. Googe said his office has been working with mental health professionals in preparation for trial.

    "That's fairly standard if you're talking about a death penalty case," he said. "It's fairly standard, almost protocol, in a trial this serious."

    Robbery victim wanted to help people

    Googe said he plans to file a motion to continue the trial, which he expects to be ready for by this summer.

    "The people we have working with us on mitigation questions are being diligent and staying in communication with us," he said. "We just have to make sure it's done right the first time."

    Miller's charges stem from an attempted robbery on Nov. 24, 2015, at Bull Market.

    Court documents say Miller threatened to shoot Dhalai if he did not give him money during the robbery attempt, and shot Dhalai when he did not immediately comply.

    Miller also fired at another store employee during the attempted robbery.

    He is scheduled to return to court at 10 a.m. Feb. 13.

    http://www.jacksonsun.com/story/news...cide/96406140/

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    Trial delayed for man accused of killing Jackson store clerk

    By Mallory Cooke
    WBBJ Eyewitness News

    JACKSON, Tenn. — The man accused of killing a store clerk at a gas station in Jackson will not go to trial until September. Monday, the judge pushed Urshawn Miller’s trial date back another two months.

    “I’m going to grant the defendant’s motion to continue the trial,” Madison County Circuit Court Judge Don Allen said.

    Allen reset Miller’s trial date for Sept. 25. “I want to make sure that he is represented properly,” Allen said. “I want to give him every opportunity to present a defense.”

    Miller is accused of shooting and killing a store clerk in November 2015 at the Bull Market gas station in west Jackson. He faces multiple counts, including first-degree murder. If convicted, Miller could face the death penalty.

    “You have to look into a lot of different things in a death penalty case that you don’t have to look into in another kind of case,” District Public Defender George Morton Googe said.

    Googe, a court-appointed public defender, represents Miller. “We’ve only had the case in our office actually for just a little over a year,” Googe said.

    The judge said the state and defense have until July 24 to reach a plea agreement. “I expect the lawyers to do their very best to investigate the case. If something can get resolved, certainly we want to do that,” Allen said.

    The original trial date scheduled for November 2016 got pushed back to March after the state filed a motion seeking the death penalty. Allen then moved it to July. The trial is now scheduled to begin September 25.

    In the meantime, Miller remains in custody. He is scheduled to return to court July 24 for a status hearing.

    http://www.wbbjtv.com/2017/05/08/tri...n-store-clerk/
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    Murder trial begins for man accused of killing Jackson store clerk

    BY WBBJ-TV

    JACKSON, Tenn. — A murder trial started Thursday morning for a man accused of killing a convenience store clerk in 2015.

    Urshawn Miller is charged in the death of Ahmad Dhalai. Dhalai was shot and killed during an attempted robbery in November 2015 at the Bull Market convenience store on Hollywood Drive.

    Miller is also accused of shooting at another man who was in the store at the time.

    Miller is charged with felony first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, attempted robbery and several other charges.

    Prosecutors have announced that they will seek the death penalty or life without parole for Miller if he is convicted.

    http://www.wbbjtv.com/2018/03/01/mur...n-store-clerk/
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    Urshawn Miller found guilty of first degree murder, could face death penalty

    By Amanda Gerry
    WBBJ-TV

    JACKSON, Tenn. — A jury found Urshawn Miller guilty Saturday of all eight counts in a crime that took place back in November of 2015, including felony first degree murder and other charges.

    Investigators say when Miller attempted to rob Bull Market on Hollywood Drive in Jackson, he shot and killed Ahmad Dhalai, a clerk at the store, and also shot another employee who was there.

    Judge Don Allen proceeded with the sentencing hearing for Miller, who could face the death penalty.

    The victim’s cousin took the stand and shared how much Dhalai is missed by everyone who knew him.

    “He always had mild manners, he smiles, talks to people nicely, never raised his voice to anybody. Everybody’s heart broken still to the day,” said Ali Dahli.

    The prosecution brought up the fact that this is not Miller’s first offense, having spent eight years in prison for robbing a gas station. This is surveillance video from the robbery, where Allison Deaton says she was working at the time of the incident.

    “One of them said, ‘give me all your money or I’m going to shoot you in the face,'” recalled Deaton.

    Three forensic psychologists shared their evaluations of Miller’s mental state.

    “He was abused and neglected. He was raised in poverty. There was a lot of instability where I think there were eight moves before he was ten years of age,” said Dr. Keith Caruso.

    This evening both the prosecution and the defense rested their case in the sentencing phase.

    Judge Allan says the trial will resume Sunday morning for closing statements, final arguments, and then the sentencing of Urshawn Miller. The jury can decide on anything from life in prison with the possibility of parole to the death penalty.

    We tried to speak to the family of both the defendant and the victim, but neither of them wanted to comment. Attorneys on both sides also say they are withholding statements until the end of the trial.

    http://www.wbbjtv.com/2018/03/03/urs...death-penalty/
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    Urshawn Miller sentenced to death in murder of convenience store employee

    By Mandy Hrach
    WBBJ-TV

    JACKSON, Tenn. — A jury has unanimously decided the man convicted of killing a convenience store employee will be sentenced to death.

    It was an emotional moment as family members of Urshawn Miller said their final goodbyes in court.

    The jury deliberated around four hours before sentencing him to death on felony murder charges.

    “The Dhalai family has suffered a great loss, and while nothing we do here will ever change that, we do think justice was served by this jury today,” District Attorney Gen. Jody Pickens said.

    Investigators say when Miller attempted to rob Bull Market on Hollywood drive in Jackson, he shot and killed 24-year-old Ahmad Dhalai who was working at the store.

    After six intense days of witness testimony and arguments from both sides, attorneys spoke to the jury for a final time before they went into their deliberations.

    “He chose to pull the trigger once, he chose to pull the trigger the second time, striking the victim in the back of the head,” Pickens said.

    Pickens brought up Miller was previously convicted on an aggravated robbery charge, and argued the death penalty was the only punishment to give peace to the Dhalai family.

    But district public defender George Googe argued Miller was victimized before birth, saying results from forensic psychologists show he was abused and neglected growing up.

    “He has mental disorders, there’s no question about it,” Googe said.

    Googe said he will be filing a mandatory death penalty appeal.

    “I’ve always felt symphany for both families, both families suffer in this kind of case,” he said.

    Through the tears, Millers family they told the victim’s family they are sorry for their loss before walking out the door.

    Urshawn Miller will be back in court on April 16 for a second sentencing on his remaining charges.

    http://www.wbbjtv.com/2018/03/04/urs...tore-employee/
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
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    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
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  7. #7
    Moderator Ryan's Avatar
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    Miller entered Tennessee's death row on March 4, 2018.

    https://www.tn.gov/correction/statis...offenders.html

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    Convicted killer to serve 30 years in addition to death penalty

    By Hannah King
    ABC News

    JACKSON, Tenn. — Urshawn Miller will serve 30 years in additional to facing the death penalty after a jury found him guilty in March of killing a gas station clerk during an attempted robbery.

    “The state asserts that the defendant is a dangerous offender whose behavior indicates little or no regard for human life, no hesitation about committing a crime when the risk to human life is high,” District Attorney General Jody Pickens said in court.

    Urshawn Miller was convicted of killing Bull Market gas station clerk Ahmad Dhalai after a jury trial earlier this year. Dhalai was shot and killed during an attempted robbery while working as a clerk at Bull Market on Hollywood Drive in November 2015.

    Miller was sentenced to the death penalty after his trial, but returned to court today for sentencing on seven additional charges stemming from Dhalai’s murder.

    “The jury also found him guilty on several other counts of this indictments,” Judge Don Allen said.

    Miller’s sentencing hearing Monday was scheduled for attempted especially aggravated robbery, attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault, employing a firearm during the attempt to commit a dangerous felony, resisting arrest and evading arrest.

    After an hour-long hearing, Allen sentenced Miller to serve another 30 years in addition to the death penalty he is already facing. Those 30 years will be served at the same time as his death penalty sentence.

    Miller’s attorneys have filed a motion for a new trial. The hearing is scheduled for July 30. Miller’s attorney George Googe says they also plan to appeal Miller’s sentence.

    “It will first be presented to the court and the court can look at it and determine if a fair trial was had in his opinion, then it would go to the Court of Criminal Appeals in Tennessee, then to the Tennessee Supreme Court,” Googe said.

    http://www.wbbjtv.com/2018/05/07/con...death-penalty/
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Remanded to the trial court due to a clerical error.

    https://law.justia.com/cases/tenness...cca-r3-dd.html
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    Tennessee Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence For 2015 Murder of Convenience Store Employee

    In an opinion released today, the Tennessee Supreme Court upheld the death sentence for Urshawn Miller who was convicted of murdering an employee of the convenience store that he attempted to rob in Jackson, Tennessee.

    On the night of November 25, 2015, Mr. Miller entered the Bull Market wearing black clothing, gray gloves, and a white face covering. He pointed a gun at the 24-year-old clerk, Ahmad Dhalai, and demanded money from the cash register. Mr. Miller fired an initial shot that barely missed Mr. Dhalai, demanded money a 2nd time, then fatally shot Mr. Dhalai in the back of the head as the victim slowly turned to walk away. Mr. Miller fired a shot in the direction of another employee, Lawrence Austin, before unsuccessfully attempting to open the cash register himself. He then fled the store, and Mr. Dhalai died moments later. The entire encounter was captured on the store’s surveillance cameras. First-responding officers tracked Mr. Miller to a nearby wooded area where he was arrested.

    A Madison County jury convicted Mr. Miller of 1st-degree premeditated murder and 1st-degree felony murder for fatally shooting Mr. Dhalai. The jury also convicted Mr. Miller of the attempted 2nd-degree murder of Mr. Austin and of attempted especially aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, evading arrest, and resisting arrest. The jury imposed the death penalty for the first-degree murder convictions. The trial court later merged the felony murder conviction into the premeditated murder conviction, and it imposed an effective thirty-year sentence for the remaining convictions to run concurrently with the death sentence. The Court of Criminal Appeals upheld the convictions and sentences on appeal but vacated the application of the felony murder aggravating circumstance as to the felony murder conviction.

    The Supreme Court is required to review all death penalty cases, so Mr. Miller’s case was automatically appealed. The Court concluded that the trial court properly ruled on challenges to certain jurors for cause, that the evidence was sufficient to establish the defendant’s guilt of the convicted offenses, that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by allowing the State to introduce a video recording of Mr. Miller’s prior aggravated robbery during the penalty phase, and that the death penalty generally, and lethal injection specifically, do not constitute cruel and unusual punishment.

    Under the Court’s mandatory review of Mr. Miller’s death sentence, the Court determined that the evidence presented by the State supported all of the aggravating circumstances applied by the jury, and the Court agreed with the jury that the aggravating circumstances outweighed the mitigating circumstances in this case. The Court reinstated the application of the felony murder aggravating circumstances to the felony murder conviction. The Court also determined that the death sentence was not disproportionate to sentences imposed in other similar cases. It, therefore, confirmed the sentence of death.

    Justice Lee, writing separately, agreed that Mr. Miller’s convictions should be affirmed but dissented from the Court’s decision upholding the death penalty. In her view, executing Mr. Miller would violate his Eighth Amendment right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment. A sentence is cruel and unusual, and thus constitutionally prohibited, when it is excessive or disproportionate. As the most severe and irreversible punishment, the death penalty should be imposed only in the rarest of cases—those that are the “worst of the bad.” While reprehensible, Mr. Miller’s crime did not involve more than one victim, torture, depravity, or other especially cruel conduct. Most defendants like Mr. Miller in similar first-degree murder cases, including capital cases, have been sentenced to life or life in prison without parole rather than death. Thus, Mr. Miller’s death sentence is excessive and disproportionate considering the nature of the crime and the defendant. For this reason, Justice Lee dissented from the imposition of the death penalty and concluded that Mr. Miller should serve the rest of his life in prison.

    To read the majority opinion in State v. Urshawn Miller, authored by Chief Justice Roger A. Page, and the separate concurring and dissenting opinion authored by Justice Sharon G. Lee, visit the opinions section of TNCourts.gov.

    (source: tncourts.gov)
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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