Isaac Miller pleaded guilty to murder Wednesday (today) in the shooting death of his father in 2019.
Miller, 27, will serve 94 to 125 months (7.5 to 10.5) years in prison, according to the plea agreement reached this morning. He was charged with shooting and killing his father, Anthony Chestnut, in their Jackson Street home in December 2019. Miller told investigators that the killing was in self defense.
Miller was arrested with two other people after back-to-back raids on the home several weeks after the killing in January 2020. It was the climax of three busy days at the trailer on the end of Jackson Street.
Miller, Victoria Robinson and Kanisha Lynette Parker were both arrested for drug charges in the initial raid, which occurred the Wednesday prior to the murder arrest. Parker also listed the Jackson Street home as her address. Chadbourn Police found marijuana and multiple firearms in the home.
That Thursday, police were called to the address after reports of a man firing shots at another man in the yard.
Miller and Robinson were out on bond for marijuana and firearm charges when they were rearrested that Friday, this time with a murder warrant for Miller.
A large number of spectators gathered near the property on the day of the arrest, prompting CPD to request assistance from the sheriff’s office for crowd control. The crowd dispersed when freezing rain and chilly temperatures moved in.
Investigators found MDMA and drug paraphernalia while executing the arrest warrant, Chadbourn Police said at the time. Miller was charged with murder, possession with intent to sell and deliver MDMA, resisting an officer, and maintaining a dwelling for drug activities.
Robinson, who was Miller’s alleged girlfriend, also lived at the same address. She was charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a deadly weapon, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver MDMA Ecstasy, and interfering with emergency communications. She was held under $70,000 secured bond.
The robbery charge came about when Miller and Robinson prevented Candace Duncan, who was Chestnut’s girlfriend, from calling 911. They were alleged to have taken her cell phone after Miller shot Chestnut, CPD said at the time. The robbery and assault charges against Miller were eventually dropped.
The murder case was declared a mistrial earlier this year when defense attorney J.B. Lee had a medical emergency.
“We were honored to get the family some closure today, and get justice for Anthony,” Asst. District Attorney Heath Nance said.
It was the second time Miller said he shot someone protecting himself.
On Aug. 29, 2018, Miller killed William Nance in a notorious drug house on Dessie Road. He was not charged in that case. The home has since been razed, and the property turned over to the school system for sale. Miller was not charged with murder in that case.
It was also not the first time someone was shot to death at the Jackson Street home.
In 2016, Jacob Baldwin, a standout West Columbus High athlete, was killed in the front yard of the home. Kenneth Barnard Wooten was charged in that murder. In 2019, after he allegedly cut off his ankle monitor and went on a shooting spree in Chadbourn. One man sustained minor injuries in that case.
