Murders of Floyd and Vera Hill

Murders of Floyd and Vera Hill
DateJune 24, 2004
LocationGuin, Alabama, U.S.
OutcomeJamie Mills executed on May 30, 2024 for the double murder
JoAnn Mills imprisoned for life
DeathsFloyd Hill, 87
Vera Hill, 72
ConvictedJamie Ray Mills
JoAnn Mills
VerdictGuilty
ConvictionsJamie Mills
Capital murder
JoAnn Mills
Murder
SentenceJamie Mills
Death
JoAnn Mills
Life imprisonment

On June 24, 2004, 87-year-old Floyd Hill and his 72-year-old wife Vera Hill were both attacked and murdered in Guin, Alabama, United States, by an intruder who bludgeoned them severely before stealing $140 and prescription drugs from the couple. Floyd was mortally wounded and died on the scene; Vera survived until September 12, 2004, when she died of complications resulting from her injuries.[1]

The Hills' 30-year-old neighbour, Jamie Ray Mills, was arrested and charged with murdering the couple. Mills was found guilty of the double murder and sentenced to death in 2007, while Mills's wife was similarly convicted of murder but jailed for life. Jamie Mills remained on death row for about 17 years before he was executed on May 30, 2024.[2]

Double murder

At the time of the murder, the Hills were both present at home when they were approached by Jamie Ray Mills, who was accompanied by his wife JoAnn Mills. Jamie and JoAnn Mills had just completed an overnight drug use session, in which they smoked methamphetamine together.[3][4] Mills reportedly asked the Hills if he and his wife could borrow their phone. The couple allowed the couple into their house.

Some time after gaining entry into the home of the Hills, Jamie Mills attacked the couple by bludgeoning them with a machete, tire tool and ballpeen hammer. Mills assaulted Floyd Hill first, while the latter was talking to him in the shed, just as the women were walking back to the porch. Mills then carried out a vicious assault on Vera, who had turned back to the shed after hearing the assault on her husband. Mills and his wife ransacked the house and stole some prescription drugs and $140 before they leaving the house.[3][5]

After the attack, the Hills' children and grandchildren, who were unable to reach the couple by phone, lodged a police report, and Guin police officer Larry Webb arrived at the Hills' home shortly after dark. He inspected the house after there was no response to his calls and knocks, and discovered the bodies of the couple inside the padlocked shed.[3] Floyd Hill was mortally wounded and died at the scene. Vera was still alive but sustained severe head and neck injuries. Despite timely medical intervention, she later died. The autopsies separately conducted on both Floyd and Vera confirmed that both the Hills died from blunt and sharp force trauma; a trauma surgeon from the University of Alabama Hospital testified that Vera would have died within hours if she had not received the treatment she was given on the day of the murder.[3]

Trial process and appeals

Jamie and JoAnn Mills were arrested a day after the double murder, and were later tried before separate courts.

In August 2007, Jamie Mills was tried before a jury at an Alabama state court on two counts of capital murder. Mills's wife, who was called as a witness, testified that she saw her husband wielding a hammer and battering the elderly couple to death. At the end of the trial, Mills was found guilty of both counts of murder by the jury. The sentencing hearing ended with the 12-member jury deciding that, based on a majority opinion of 11 to one, Mills should be sentenced to death for the double murder.[3]

It was revealed after the trial of Jamie Mills that his wife JoAnn, who originally faced the same charges of capital murder as her husband, agreed to plead guilty to lesser charges of murder, provided that she turned state evidence against her husband. After admitting to her role in the murders, JoAnn was sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole. The earliest date for a parole hearing is December 2027.[6]

After his trial, Jamie Mills appealed several times to higher courts (both state and federal) against his death sentence, maintaining he was innocent and arguing that the plea bargain with his wife might have caused his wife to lie about his involvement in the murders. All of the appeals were rejected, including those in 2006, 2008 and 2016.[3][7][8]

Death warrant

On January 31, 2024, less than a week after the state conducted its first execution via nitrogen gas inhalation, the Alabama Attorney General’s Office filed a motion to the Alabama Supreme Court, seeking approval to schedule a date of execution for Jamie Mills. Unlike the previous execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith, the state asked to carry out the death sentence of Mills via the primary method of lethal injection.[9][10][11] In the same state, another lethal injection execution was scheduled for July 18, 2024.[12][13]

On March 21, 2024, the Alabama Supreme Court approved the death warrant on Mills, and directed the state's governor Kay Ivey to schedule his execution date.[14][15][16] Six days later, on March 27, 2024, the tentative execution date of Mills was slated as May 30, 2024.[17][18][19]

By May 16, 2024, two weeks before he was executed, Mills had filed last-minute appeals, hoping to delay his execution. His appeals centered on his claims of innocence and opposition to "torturous" execution procedures.[20]

U.S. District Judge Scott Coogler dismissed Mills's appeal on May 20, 2024, after he found that the claims made by Mills, including those in relation to the plea bargain of Mills's wife, could not aid him in escaping the death sentence, and noted that his arguments had been repeatedly rejected in previous appeals.[21] Chief U.S. District Judge Emily C. Marks rejected Mills's separate petition for a stay of execution, describing it as "inexplicable and inexcusable" and deplored the practice of filing last-minute appeals and requests for stay of execution when the facts of the case had been repeatedly upheld, stating that such abuse of court processes should be stopped.[22]

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a follow-up appeal from Mills on May 28, 2024, after finding "no reasonable jurist could conclude that the district court abused its discretion", and allowed the execution to move forward.[23][24][25] On the same date when the ruling was made, several opponents of capital punishment, including representatives of Death Penalty Action, submitted a petition to Governor Ivey for clemency, with hopes of commuting Mills's death sentence to life without parole.[26]

The U.S. Supreme Court would hear Mills's final appeal on the date of his execution, and similarly rejected it, clearing the way for Mills's execution to proceed.[27][28]

Execution

On May 30, 2024, Jamie Ray Mills, now 50, was formally executed via lethal injection at Holman Correctional Facility. Mills expressed his love for his family, including his brother and sister who were present to witness the execution. Members of the victims’ family were also present, and they stated that justice had been served for the Hills after 20 years.[29][30]

For his last meal, Mills ordered a seafood platter with three large shrimp, two catfish filets, three oysters, three onion rings and one stuffed crab.[31][32]

The Equal Justice Initiative, a civil group, stated that the execution of Mills, whom they believed to be innocent, was "tragically regrettable and mournfully unjust" and accused the prosecutors of having "lied, deceived and misrepresented" the facts of the case to make Mills appear guilty. They stated that his case reinforced the wrongfulness of capital punishment. Attorney General Steve Marshall described the murders of Floyd and Vera Hill as "cold and calculated" killings carried out by Mills; he stated that there was ample evidence to prove that Mills was guilty of the double murder.[33]

The execution of Mills was the second documented execution to take place in Alabama in 2024, and the sixth to happen in the U.S. that year.[34][35] Mills's execution was the first to take place via lethal injection in Alabama after the state's first nitrogen gas execution.[36]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Alabama man set to be executed Thursday maintains innocence in elderly couple's murder". USA Today. May 29, 2024.
  2. ^ "After US's first nitrogen gas execution, Alabama set to give man lethal injection". The Guardian. May 30, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f MILLS v. STATE [2008], Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals (United States).
  4. ^ "Death penalty: Alabama couple murdered in 2004 were married 55 years before tragic end". USA Today. May 29, 2024.
  5. ^ "Alabama Supreme Court approves execution of Jamie Ray Mills". Montgomery Advertiser. March 21, 2024.
  6. ^ "Alabama executes Jamie Mills for elderly couple's 2004 beating deaths". Alabama Local News. May 30, 2024.
  7. ^ In re Jamie Ray Mills v. State of Alabama [2010], Alabama Supreme Court (United States).
  8. ^ "Alabama Supreme Court won't review appeals of 7 convicted killers". Alabama Local News. May 21, 2016.
  9. ^ "Alabama seeks to execute Jamie Mills for 2004 double murder". Alabama Local News. January 31, 2024.
  10. ^ "Alabama attorney general requests execution by lethal injection for Jamie Mills". Alabama Reflector. January 31, 2024.
  11. ^ "Alabama attorney general requests execution for Jamie Mills". Montgomery Advertiser. January 31, 2024.
  12. ^ "Alabama executes 64-year-old Keith Edmund Gavin for 1998 murder at ATM". Alabama Local News. July 18, 2024.
  13. ^ "Alabama has executed man convicted of killing delivery driver during a 1998 robbery attempt". CNN. July 18, 2024.
  14. ^ "Alabama approves execution for Jamie Ray Mills in elderly couple's 2004 beating death". Alabama Local News. March 21, 2024.
  15. ^ "Alabama high court authorizes execution date for man convicted in 2004 slaying". Associated Press. March 21, 2024.
  16. ^ "Alabama Supreme Court approves execution of Jamie Ray Mills". Alabama Reflector. March 21, 2024.
  17. ^ "Alabama sets May lethal injection date for man convicted of killing couple during robbery". Associated Press. March 27, 2024.
  18. ^ "Alabama sets execution date for Jamie Mills to die by lethal injection". Alabama Local News. March 27, 2024.
  19. ^ "Gov. Kay Ivey sets late May execution date for Jamie Ray Mills". Alabama Reflector. March 27, 2024.
  20. ^ "Alabama inmate Jamie Mills set to die; argues innocence, challenges 'tortuous' execution method". Alabama Local News. May 16, 2024.
  21. ^ "Federal judge rejects Alabama Death Row inmate Jamie Mills' innocence claim". Alabama Local News. May 20, 2024.
  22. ^ "Timing of Alabama inmate Jamie Mills' lethal injection lawsuit 'inexplicable and inexcusable': Judge". Alabama Local News. May 21, 2024.
  23. ^ "Appeals court won't halt upcoming Alabama execution". Associated Press. May 28, 2024.
  24. ^ "Federal appeals court denies stay of execution for Alabama inmate Jamie Mills, upholds rejection of innocence claim". Alabama Local News. May 28, 2024.
  25. ^ "U.S. 11th Circuit Court rejects Alabama death row inmate's appeals". Alabama Reflector. May 30, 2024.
  26. ^ "Petition to stop Alabama's execution of Jamie Mills goes to Gov. Kay Ivey". Alabama Local News. May 28, 2024.
  27. ^ "After nation's 1st nitrogen gas execution, Alabama set to give man lethal injection for 2 slayings". NBC News. May 30, 2024.
  28. ^ "Following 1st nitrogen execution in U.S., Alabama puts man to death via lethal injection". Alabama Reflector. May 30, 2024.
  29. ^ "Months after nation's 1st nitrogen gas execution, Alabama gives man lethal injection for 2 killings". Associated Press. May 30, 2024.
  30. ^ "Alabama double killer becomes first death-row inmate put to death in state since nitrogen execution". The Independent. May 30, 2024.
  31. ^ "Alabama executes Jamie Mills by lethal injection". Montgomery Advertiser. May 30, 2024.
  32. ^ "A last supper on death row: Should America give murderers an extravagant final meal?". USA Today. June 8, 2024.
  33. ^ "Alabama executes man who killed elderly couple in 2004". NBC News. May 30, 2024.
  34. ^ "Alabama death row inmate gives thumbs-up, says 'Love y'all' before execution". USA Today. May 30, 2024.
  35. ^ "Alabama inmate Jamie Ray Mills to be 2nd inmate executed by the state in 2024. What to know". USA Today. May 30, 2024.
  36. ^ "Alabama executes death row inmate Jamie Mills for elderly couple's 2004 murders". CBS News. May 30, 2024.

Read other articles:

Act. 4 Cait Sith

Act. 4 Cait SithAlbum studio karya GugudanDirilis01 Februari 2018 (2018-02-01)Direkam2017–2018GenreK-pop, electronic, R&BBahasaKoreaLabelJellyfish Entertainment, CJ E&MProduser Erik Lidbom MELODESIGN JQ Mola Kronologi Gugudan Act. 3 Chococo Factory(2017) Act. 4 Cait Sith(2018) Act. 5 New Action(2018) Singel dalam album Act. 4 Cait Sith The BootsDirilis: 01 Februari 2018 (2018-02-01) Act. 4 Cait Sith adalah album singel kedua dari grup vokal wanita asal Korea Selatan Gu...

 

Karate pada Pekan Olahraga Nasional XIX – Kata perorangan putri

Karate padaPekan Olahraga Nasional XIX Kata Putra Putri   Perorangan     Perorangan     Beregu Beregu Kumite Putra Putri   Beregu     Beregu     55 kg 50 kg 60 kg 55 kg 67 kg 61 kg 75 kg 68 kg 84 kg +68 kg +84 kg Karate nomor Kata perorangan putri pada Pekan Olahraga Nasional XIX dipertandingkan pada 18 September 2016[1] di Sasana Budaya Ganesha, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Kota Bandung, Jawa Barat. Pertandingan karate menggunakan sis...

 

Manchester, New Hampshire

Sudut kota Manchester Manchester merupakan kota yang terletak di sebelah utara Amerika Serikat. Penduduknya berjumlah 108.000 jiwa (2005). Kota ini terpatnya di negara bagian New Hampshire. Kota ini memiliki luas wilayah 90,4 km². Dengan memiliki kepadatan penduduk sebanyak 1.251,6 jiwa/km². Kota ini merupakan kota terbesar di negara bagian itu. Pranala luar Situs resmi Artikel bertopik geografi atau tempat Amerika Serikat ini adalah sebuah rintisan. Anda dapat membantu Wikipedia denga...

Cartoon Network (Canadian TV channel)

Canadian TV channel This article is about the Canadian channel that was formerly branded as Teletoon. For the channel that operated as Cartoon Network from 2012 to 2023, see Boomerang (Canadian TV channel). Teletoon redirects here. For its French-language companion channel, see Télétoon. Television channel Cartoon NetworkLogo used since 2023CountryCanadaBroadcast areaNationwideHeadquartersToronto, OntarioProgrammingLanguage(s)EnglishPicture format1080i HDTV(downscaled to 480i letterbox for ...

 

David's Tomb

Holy site for Abrahamic faiths King David's TombHebrew: קבר דוד המלךArabic: مقام النبي داودShown () within JerusalemAlternative nameMakam Nabi Daoud; CenacleLocationJerusalemCoordinates31°46′18″N 35°13′46″E / 31.77170°N 35.22936°E / 31.77170; 35.22936HistoryPeriodsLate Roman, Byzantine, Crusader, Mamluk, Ottoman, IsraelSite notesArchaeologistsJacob PinkerfeldPublic accessyes David's Tomb (Hebrew: קבר דוד המלך Kever...

 

Saint Leonard–Van Buren Bridge

BridgeSaint Leonard–Van Buren BridgeBridge over the Saint John River with Van Buren in the backgroundCoordinates47°09′35″N 67°55′51″W / 47.1597°N 67.9309°W / 47.1597; -67.9309CrossesSt. John RiverHistoryDesignerElmer E. GreenwoodOpened1912 (1912)Rebuilt1972Location The Saint Leonard–Van Buren Bridge is an international bridge, which connects the communities of St. Leonard, New Brunswick in Canada and Van Buren, Maine in the United States,[1]...

Intersex UK

Organization Intersex UKTypeNGOPurposeIntersex human rightsRegion served United Kingdom, IrelandWebsiteintersexuk.org Intersex UK is an organisation by and for intersex people (those born with differences of sex development or variations of sex anatomy) in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Intersex UK works to protect the bodily autonomy and civil rights of intersex children, adolescents, and their families through government lobbying and educational outreach.[1] Mission Intersex UK's m...

 

Camp de concentration

Double clôture électrifiée du camp Auschwitz I. Détail du monument antiguerre Mahnmal Bittermark (en), à Dortmund, Allemagne. Un camp de concentration est un lieu fermé de grande taille construit pour regrouper et pour détenir une population considérée comme ennemie, généralement dans de très mauvaises conditions de vie. Cette population peut se composer d'opposants politiques, de ressortissants de pays avec lesquels le pays d'accueil est en état de guerre, de groupes ethniq...

 

Unione Sportiva Ravenna 1994-1995

Voce principale: Ravenna Football Club 1913. Unione Sportiva Ravenna 1994-1995Stagione 1994-1995Sport calcio Squadra Ravenna Allenatore Alberto Cavasin poi Adriano Buffoni Presidente Daniele Corvetta Serie C14º nel girone A Coppa ItaliaPrimo turno Coppa Italia Serie CSedicesimi Maggiori presenzeCampionato: Doardo (33) Miglior marcatoreCampionato: Tacchi (7) StadioStadio Bruno Benelli 1993-1994 1995-1996 Si invita a seguire il modello di voce Questa pagina raccoglie le informazioni rigu...

2020年夏季奧林匹克運動會柔道比賽

第三十二届夏季奥林匹克运动会柔道比賽比賽場館日本武道館日期2021年7月24日至31日項目數15参赛选手393（含未上场5人）位選手，來自128（含未上场4队）個國家和地區← 20162024 → 2020年夏季奥林匹克运动会柔道比赛个人男子女子60公斤级48公斤级66公斤级52公斤级73公斤级57公斤级81公斤级63公斤级90公斤级70公斤级100公斤级78公斤级100公斤以上级78公斤以上级团体混...

 

Ivan Rassimov

Ivan Rassimov nel film Inhibition (1976) Ivan Rassimov, pseudonimo di Ivan Đerasimović (in serbo Иван Ђерасимовић?; Trieste, 7 maggio 1938 – Roma, 14 marzo 2003), è stato un attore italiano. Indice 1 Biografia 2 Filmografia 3 Doppiatori italiani 4 Note 5 Altri progetti 6 Collegamenti esterni Biografia Nato da genitori serbi trasferitisi a Trieste nell'anno della sua nascita, crebbe con la sorella Rada, che divenne attrice come lui. Concluso il servizio militare, Ivan ...

 

List of Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's chapters

First volume cover This article is a list of chapters in the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's manga series, written by Masahiro Hikokubo and illustrated by Masashi Sato. It was published by Shueisha and was serialized by V-Jump starting on August 21, 2009. The first volume, collecting the initial eight chapters, was released on April 30, 2010. Eight further volumes followed before the series concluded. It is one of several Yu-Gi-Oh! spin-off titles to have been serialised in V-Jump magazine and is based on th...

University of Toronto

University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada This article is about the university's St. George campus in Downtown Toronto. For other uses, see University of Toronto (disambiguation). Not to be confused with Toronto Metropolitan University. University of TorontoCoat of armsLatin: Universitas TorontonensisFormer nameKing's College(1827–1849)MottoVelut arbor ævo (Latin)Motto in EnglishAs a tree through the ages[1]TypePublic research universityEstablishedMarch 15, 1827(197 yea...

 

Molibdat

Struktur dari molibdat Model 3D dari ion molibdat Dalam kimia, molibdat adalah senyawa yang mengandung oksoanion dengan molibdenum dalam bilangan oksidasi tertinggi 6. Molibdenum dapat membentuk sejumlah besar oksoanion yang berupa struktur diskrit atau struktur ekstended polimer, meskipun yang terakhir hanya ditemukan dalam keadaan padat. Oksoanion yang lebih besar adalah anggota dari kelompok senyawa yang disebut polioksometalat, dan karena mereka hanya mengandung satu jenis atom logam yang...

 

Orient Overseas (International) Limited

Hong Kong, China based investment holding company This article is about Orient Overseas (International) Limited, the parent company of Orient Overseas Container Line. For the subsidiary, see Orient Overseas Container Line. Orient Overseas (International) LimitedTrade nameOrient OverseasOOILCompany typePublicTraded asSEHK: 316IndustryShipping and logisticsPredecessorOrient Overseas (Holdings) LimitedFounded19471986 (as OOIL)FounderTung Chao-yungHeadquartersHong Kong, ChinaKey peopleGary J...

Kegubernuran Deir al-Balah

Jalur GazaPemerintahan Hamas lbs Gaza Utara Gaza GAZA CITY Deir al-Balah Khan Yunis Rafah Kegubernuran Deir el-Balah (bahasa Arab: محافظة دير البلح Muḥāfaẓat Dayr al Balaḥ) adalah satu dari 16 kegubernuran di Palestina di tengah Jalur Gaza yang dikuasai Palestina kecuali daerah perbatasan dengan Israel, ruang udara, dan wilayah lautnya. Luas daratannya 56 kilometer persegi. Menurut Badan Pusat Statistik Palestina, pada pertengahan 2006 Kegubernuran Deir al-Balah dihu...

 

Oratorio (musica)

L'oratorio è un genere musicale eseguito in forma di concerto, che, a differenza dell'opera lirica, è senza rappresentazione scenica o personaggi in costume. Generalmente composto per solisti, coro e orchestra, a volte con un narratore, è solitamente di soggetto religioso (Bibbia), ma può anche trattare argomenti profani (mitologia o storia). I cantanti si esibiscono in borghese tenendo in mano un libretto musicale. Formalmente abbastanza vicino alla cantata e all'opera, l'oratorio co...

 

Courtney Wayment

American athlete Courtney WaymentWayment in 2023Personal informationFull nameCourtney Wayment-SmithNationality United StatesBorn (1998-08-04) August 4, 1998 (age 26)Home townLayton, Utah, U.S.Height5 ft 7 in (171 cm)SportSportTrack and fieldEvent(s)3000 m steeplechase, MileCollege teamBYU CougarsClubOn RunningTurned pro2022Coached byDiljeet Taylor(2016–present)Achievements and titlesPersonal bests3000 m steeplechase: 9:06.50 (USA Olympic Trials 2024)800 m:...

Jakub Giża

Questa voce sull'argomento atleti polacchi è solo un abbozzo. Contribuisci a migliorarla secondo le convenzioni di Wikipedia. Segui i suggerimenti del progetto di riferimento. Jakub GiżaNazionalità Polonia Altezza188 cm Peso140 kg Atletica leggera SpecialitàGetto del peso SocietàLKS Stal Mielec Termine carriera2014 Record Peso 20,06 m (2010) Peso 19,86 m (indoor – 2012) CarrieraNazionale 2007-2012 Polonia4 Palmarès Competizione Ori Argenti Bronzi Europei under 23 ...

 

Österreich

Der Titel dieses Artikels ist mehrdeutig. Weitere Bedeutungen sind unter Österreich (Begriffsklärung) aufgeführt. Republik Österreich Flagge Wappen Lage Österreichs in der Europäischen Union Lage Österreichs in der Europäischen Union Amtssprache Deutsch[1][2]– regionale Amtssprachen:Kroatisch, Slowenisch, Ungarisch– anerkannte Minderheitssprachen:u. a. österreichische Gebärdensprache, Romani Hauptstadt Wien Staats- und Regierungsform semipräsidentiell-parl...