Henry Charles Miller | Homicide Watch DC

40 Year Sentence for Henry Charles Miller's Death

Imari Williams — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 19:00:21 -0500

David Allen Shepherd was sentenced to 40 years in prison Friday for the fatal shooting of Henry Charles Miller.

"It is true you were making recent strides to help your family and friends out, but facts show that you have been committing crimes for 30 years," Judge Russell Canan told Shepherd before delivering the sentence.

"You weren't out of prison a year before killing Mr. Miller."

Shepherd, 51, was convicted of first-degree murder while armed, including related weapons and destruction of property charges in July.

Around 1:00 a.m. on June 3, 2012, Miller was found in the 1100 block of Chicago Street Southeast suffering from gunshot wounds. He died an hour later from his injuries at a local hospital. He was 32 years old.

"Shepherd was the aggressor. There was a verbal argument and Shepherd went to his car and returned to murder Miller," Assistant U.S. Attorney Silvia Gonzalez Roman said in court. "This was a thoughtless and unprovoked murder." She added that after the murder, Shepherd fled the scene and engaged in a three mile high-speed chase with police.

During a victim impact statement, Miller's aunt said that her nephew's death has affected her family a great deal.

"We lost a loved one in the family. He had children," Earma Thomas said. "It hurt our family so much."

At trial, Miller's cousin Jayda Ingram testified that she saw Shepherd shoot Miller in the mouth after an argument.

William Roberts, Shepherd's defense attorney, argued that Shepherd has grown from his past.

"Shepherd is a man who came a long way in a short period of time," Roberts said. "He began a life with his wife and child."

Shepherd addressed the court as he maintained his innocence.

"I didn't shoot that man," Shepherd said. "I can't bring that man back, but he pulled a gun out on me." He added: "There is nothing I can do, but I'm sorry."

During trial, Shepherd testified in his own defense, arguing that his life was in danger.

"I tried to keep him from shooting me," Shepherd told the jury. "We were both struggling and I tried to twist it so he could drop the gun, but the gun went off."

Additional reporting by Amelia Rufer.

David Shepherd Found Guilty in Shooting Death of Henry Miller

Imari Williams — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 16:43:55 -0400

David Allen Shepherd has been found guilty of first-degree murder while armed in the 2012 shooting death of Henry Charles Miller.

Jurors delivered the guilty verdict late Friday afternoon after less than two days of deliberations.

During the five-day trial, three witnesses testified they saw 50-year-old Shepherd shoot Miller after an argument.

Shepherd, testifying in his own defense, argued that his life was in danger.

"I tried to keep [Miller] from shooting me," Shepherd said on the stand. "We were both struggling and I tried to twist it so [Miller] could drop the gun, but the gun went off."

In addition to murder, jurors also found Shepherd guilty of five related weapons and destruction of property charges.

Judge Russell Canan scheduled a sentencing hearing for Oct. 3 at 11 a.m.

Jury Begin Deliberations in the David Shepherd Case

Imari Williams — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 17:02:08 -0400

Jurors began deliberating Thursday in the case charging David Shepherd with the June 2012 shooting death of 32-year-old Henry Miller.

During the five-day trial, prosecutors argued that eyewitness testimony and forensic evidence showed that Shepherd "formed a plan" and had intentions to shoot Miller after an argument that started when Miller passed him to grab a cigarette.

"Three witnesses have told you they saw him walk up to Miller, put the gun to his mouth, and pull the trigger," Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Worm said.

But Shepherd's defense argued that he never meant to shoot Miller.

"Two days ago, you witnessed a 50-year-old man break down and beg you to understand what happened that night was not his fault," Defense Attorney William Roberts told the jury. "He did not have any intentions of killing Henry Miller. What he did was necessary."

Shepherd, 50, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and five related charges in connection with his death. Miller was killed two years ago, on June 3, 2012, in the 1100 block of Chicago Street Southeast.

Deputy Medical Examiner Dr. Joseph Pestaner testified Tuesday that the gunshot wound went through Miller's teeth, causing hemorrhaging in several places, including parts of the spine and brain. Pestaner said the gunshot wound was extremely close and it is possible the gun was in Miller's mouth due to the splitting of Miller's lips and the location of soot deep in the tissue.

He said the injury was consistent with someone standing in front of Miller, putting the gun between Miller’s lips, and firing.

"The defendant's words and actions let us know he was deliberate," Worm said. "He made the decision to get in his truck close the door, not even sixty seconds later he returned. He knew what he was going to do and he did it."

On Tuesday, Jayda Ingram testified that an argument had occurred after Miller passed by Shepherd to get a cigarette. Ingram tried to diffuse the situation, but Shepherd and Miller continued to argue as Miller walked away from the truck.

Ingram said she tried to calm Shepherd down by saying, "We're all family."

Shepherd echoed her, Ingram said, saying, "Yeah, we're all family, but family can get they f**king head blown off." Ingram said Shepherd then pulled out a gun and shot Miller in the mouth.

Ingram told Jurors she didn't get a good look at the gun, but said she did see a flash when the gun fired.

Roberts argued that Ingram is seeking revenge against Shepherd and will protect her family at all cost.

"She blames David Shepherd for what happened," Roberts said. "She is so invested in the protection of Henry Miller. She wouldn't even admit to him drinking that night."

Roberts told the jurors a medical examiner determined Miller's blood alcohol concentration was 0.19.

"The drinking limit is 0.8, he was twice that amount." Roberts said. "He was obliterated."

On Wednesday, Shepherd testified that Miller was drunk, and that he told him to "sleep that stuff off."

When he attempted to walk away from the argument, Miller followed him and pulled out a gun, Shepherd said.

Shepherd said he wanted to avoid getting shot.

"I tried to keep [Miller] from shooting me," Shepherd said. "We were both struggling and I tried to twist it so [Miller] could drop the gun, but the gun went off."

Worm argued that Shepherd's "actions speak louder than words" and his story "makes no sense." She asked jurors to deliver a verdict that she argued does makes sense: Guilty.

Defense attorneys argue Shepherd was protecting himself and now it's the court's duty to continue to protect him.

"He is a hard working man who found himself in a situation," Roberts said. "What our system must not allow is his freedom to be taken."

Additional reporting by Timothy Ryan.

"I didn't shoot nobody," David Shepherd Testifies at Trial

Imari Williams — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 22:09:10 -0400

On the witness stand, David Shepherd sobbed and shouted, insisting he was an innocent man. That he didn't kill 32 year-old Henry Miller. That Miller followed him and confronted him and that when Miller began to pull a gun out of his pants, he tried to stop him.

“Man, I didn’t shoot that man,” Shepherd yelled, visibly upset. “I didn’t shoot nobody.”

But prosecutors have argued for the past week that he did. They say Shepherd put a revolver into Miller’s mouth and pulled the trigger.

Miller was found by police June 3, 2012 in the 1100 block of Chicago Street Southeast. He had been shot multiple times.

Shepherd was arrested the same night. He is suspected of first-degree murder while armed and five related charges in connection with his death.

On the stand, Shepherd recounted his activities of the day of the shooting, saying that he helped Miller's cousin, James Ingram, move, then he went to Chicago Street Southeast to pick up items he dropped off earlier that day.

James Ingram's wife, Jayda Ingram, testified Tuesday she pulled up near Shepherd’s truck in Chicago Street Southeast with her husband and Miller.

Shepherd said he was sitting in his truck when Miller and James and Jayda Ingram arrived. He wanted to know if they still needed him to work that day, he said.

While Shepherd waited outside the passenger side of Ingram's truck, Miller came down from the building after spending about three minutes inside and wanted to get a cigarette from the truck, Jayda Ingram testified Tuesday.

Ingram said Miller came up behind Shepherd and calmly said "Excuse me."

But Shepherd said he heard Miller yell “Get out the way!” Shepherd told the jurors that Miller was drunk and that he told Miller he was rude.

Shepherd said Miller then began to threaten him. He testified that Miller told him, “These old-timers need to be put in their place.”

Ingram told jurors Tuesday that after Miller said "Excuse me," Shepherd turned around and said "Don't you see me standing here," and told Miller to "back the f**k up."

Ingram said she tried to calm Shepherd down by saying, “Shep, this is our cousin,” but it did not diffuse the situation and Shepherd and Miller argued as Miller walked away from the truck.

Ingram told jurors she got out of the truck to stop the two from arguing any more. Shepherd threatened to “bust his ass,” Ingram said, and Miller continued to yell back.

With James Ingram's help, the argument dissipated and Shepherd started his truck, apparently to leave, Ingram said. Then, according to Ingram, Shepherd called from his truck and asked James to pour him a drink.

As he walked back towards Ingram’s truck, Ingram said she tried to calm Shepherd down by saying “We’re all family.”

Shepherd echoed her, Ingram said, saying “Yeah, we’re all family, but family can get they f**king head blown off.” Ingram said he then pulled out a gun and shot Miller in the mouth.

On Wednesday, Shepherd said when attempted to walk away from the argument, Miller followed him and pulled out a gun, Shepherd said.

Shepherd said that he didn’t want to get shot.

“I tried to keep [Miller] from shooting me,” Shepherd said. “We were both struggling and I tried to twist it so [Miller] could drop the gun, but the gun went off.”

The trial will resume at 9:00 a.m. Thursday before Judge Russell Canan.

Additional reporting by Timothy Ryan.

Defense: David Shepherd "was faced with a life or death situation"

Imari Williams — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 17:35:54 -0400

"We're all family," David Shepherd said as he--according to a prosecutor--lifted up a revolver, stuck it into Henry Miller's mouth and pulled the trigger. "But family can get their motherf**king heads blown off, too."

The prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Worm, was quoting a witness to the shooting in opening arguments Wednesday. Worm argued there was nothing that could have provoked Shepherd to shoot Miller.

According to prosecutors, Miller bypassed Shepherd during a conversation when he went to his cousin's truck to get a cigarette and Shepherd flew into a rage. After the two exchanged heated words, Shepherd left and then returned to shoot Miller, according to Worm.

But defense attorney Michael Carter argued that Miller was drinking and out of control that night, and that the shooting was a matter of self-defense.

"Shepherd was faced with a life or death situation," Carter told the court. "Miller says something loudly to Shepherd and startles him. Miller pulls out a revolver. They struggle over the gun and the gun goes off."

Shepherd, 50, is charged with premeditated first-degree murder while armed in connection with the shooting death of 32-year-old Miller.

On June 3, 2012, police found Miller suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the 1100 block of Chicago Street Southeast. He was transported to a local hospital where he later died.

After the shooting, Shepherd walked away as "coolly" as he approached when he drove off in a white pick-up truck and that police had to drive at "extreme high speeds" to catch shepherd, according to Worm.

Carter argued that Shepherd was afraid.

"He was approached by a drunk man, he reacted," Carter argued. "After the shooting, he takes off. He was scared."

Worm told jurors, police found a handgun underneath the floorboards of the white trunk after Shepherd was caught.

The gun police found in Shepherd's truck belonged to Miller, Carter told jurors.

Prosecutors say they will call witnesses to prove Shepherd had no reason to shoot Miller

"It was senseless, unprovoked, and tragic," Worm said.

Defense believes there are no credible witnesses to the trial.

"The witnesses didn't see what happened and don't know what happened," Carter argued.

According to Carter, Shepherd was left without any options and asked the court to put themselves in Shepherd shoes.

"When he was confronted by Miller, his life was on the line. He did the only thing he could do," Carter said. "What the law allows him to do is protect himself."

The trial will resume Monday, July 7, at 9:30 a.m.

As Trial Begins, Obstruction Charges Dropped Against David Shepherd

Megan Arellano — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 17:12:39 -0400

Two charges of obstruction of justice against David Shepherd were dropped Monday after prosecutors requested Judge Russell Canan dismiss them. The decision came two days before jury selection is expected to begin in the trial charging Shepherd in connection with the death of Henry Charles Miller.

In February 2013, a grand jury indicted Shepherd on eight counts, including premeditated first-degree murder while armed, fleeing law enforcement, destruction of property and three related weapons charges.

Police found Miller on June 3, 2012, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the 1100 block of Chicago Street Southeast. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

According to charging documents, an eyewitness told police that “Shep” was fighting with Miller just before the shooting. The men separated, then “Shep” walked back towards Miller, pulled something from his waistband, and pointed at Miller, according to the witness. The witness reported seeing sparks and then, Miller on the ground bleeding.

Later, uniformed police officers saw a white truck drive past them in the neighborhood where Miller was shot, documents say. Soon after a witness told them that a man driving a white truck was connected to Miller’s death.

When police found the truck, the driver fled from officers, according to the documents. After the driver was eventually stopped, officers found a revolver lying beneath the driver’s seat. Documents say the driver was identified as David Shepherd.

A copy of Shepherd's indictment has been added below.

Shepherd, David A Indictment (PDF)Shepherd, David A Indictment (Text)

Memorials: June Lim and Henry Miller

Laura Amico — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 10:25:21 -0400

Washington's Other Monuments has photos of two new street memorials. One outside Grace Deli in Northeast DC where June Lim was killed June 14, and one near where Henry Miller was killed on June 3.

See more photos of these memorials, and others, at Washington's Other Monuments.

David Shepherd Ordered Held in Shooting Death of Henry Miller

Laura Amico — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 17:57:08 -0400

David Shepherd was ordered held today pending a preliminary hearing on a charge that he shot and killed Henry Miller in Southeast DC early Sunday morning.

Charging documents in the case state that uniformed police officers in the neighborhood where Miller was shot observed a white truck drive past them. Soon after a witness told them that a man wearing a red shirt and a red hat and driving a white truck was connected to Miller's death.

A lookout for the truck was issued and the truck was spotted by police. The driver fled from officers, who pursued him. When the driver was finally stopped three and a half miles away officers noticed a revolver lying beneath the driver's seat. The driver wore a red shirt and had a red hat. Police identified him as David Sheperd.

An eyewitness to the shooting told police that a person it knew as "Shep" was fighting with Miller just before the shooting. The two were separated, the witness said, when "Shep" walked back towards Miller, pulled something from his waistband, and point at Miller. The witness reported seeing sparks and then Miller fell to the ground bleeding.

Shepherd's defense attorney, Chris Roberts, told the court that that eyewitness's account was unreliable because there was no information about how well that person knew either "Shep" or Miller. Roberts said that despite having a criminal record, Shepherd is gainfully employed and has been in compliance with the conditions of his release.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 6 with Judge William Jackson. Shepherd is listed in court documents as David Shepherd.

Charging documents are below.

David Shepard charging docs (PDF)David Shepard charging docs (Text)

Henry Charles Miller Killed, Suspect in Custody in Chicago Street SE Shooting

Chris Amico — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 17:41:39 -0400

An overnight shooting in the 1100 block of Chicago Street Southeast killed 32-year-old Henry Charles Miller, of Southeast DC, MPD reports. Police have arrested a suspect in the incident.

David Allen Shepherd, 48, was taken into custody in the 1400 block of Brentwood Parkway NE. MPD's statement is below the jump.

Arrest Made in Homicide in the 1100 Block of Chicago Street, SE

(Washington, DC)- Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced an arrest has been made in the homicide in the 1100 block of Chicago Street, SE.

On Sunday, June 3, 2012, at approximately 1:05 am, foot beat officers on patrol in the area of the 1100 block of Chicago Street, SE responded to the report of a shooting at that location. Upon arrival on the scene, they found an adult male victim suffering from gunshot wounds. Personnel from DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to a local hospital, where he subsequently succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The victim has been identified as 32-year-old Henry Charles Miller of Southeast, DC.

A look out for a suspect and a vehicle was broadcast. Officers spotted the suspect who was pursued and apprehended in the 1400 block of Brentwood Parkway, NE.

The suspect has been identified as 48-year-old David Allen Shepherd of Northeast, DC. He has been charged with Murder One while Armed in the homicide of Henry Charles Miller.

The original version of this story misidentified the victim as Charles Miller. His name is Henry Charles Miller.