Prosecutors comment on Maple Hill triple murder

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Continuing coverage on the Maple Hill triple murder that took place in 2020. 

On Wednesday, we heard from prosecutors on what helped a jury find one of the suspects guilty. 

On Monday, a jury found Michael Miller Jr. guilty of first-degree murder. 

Miller was on trial for shooting and killing 26-year-old William Coley and 22-year-old Destiny Green, who was seven months pregnant at the time. 

The trial lasted nearly three weeks. 

Assistant District Attorney Sean Spiering said strong evidence like retrieving the murder weapon helped link Miller to the murders. 

“This was cold blooded murder and Michael Legage Miller was the perpetrator. The jury of his peers got it right,” Spiering said. “A unanimous verdict of 12 jurors and that’s what the system is all about. It took them a while, but they were careful and got the evidence right.” 

William Toby Smith is also charged in the three murders. He is awaiting trial. 

Assistant District Attorney Jason Smith said he applauds the Pender County Sheriff’s Office for their dedication to the case over the past three years.