Guilty verdict for man on trial for Maple Hill triple murder

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A jury has found Michael Miller Jr. guilty of first-degree murder for his role in the 2020 deaths of three people in Maple Hill.

Monday’s verdict comes after more than two days of deliberations. Miller was visibly upset when the verdict was read. Members of Miller’s family were also in the courtroom, and wept as the judge announced the jury’s decision.

The trial lasted nearly three weeks. During testimony, the defense claimed no pieces of evidence pointed to Miller, and all roads pointed to someone else. William Toby Smith is also charged in the three murders, but has not gone on trial for his alleged role. He testified against Miller during this trial.

Miller is accused in the November 2020 shooting and of killing 26-year-old William Coley and 22-year-old Destiny Green, who was seven months pregnant at the time.

He is tentatively scheduled to be sentenced on Tuesday.