Two men acquitted of attempted homicide in Connellsville stabbing
Two men accused of stabbing a man in Connellsville more than two years ago were acquitted by a Fayette County jury on all charges – including attempted homicide – following a two-day trial.
The jury took about two hours to deliberate Tuesday and returned the not guilty verdicts for Logan Anthony Miller, 21, of Connellsville, and Riley Allen Miller, 20, of Southwest, in connection with the June 20, 2022, stabbing that injured Zachariah Stephens.
Connellsville police said they found Stephens with multiple stab wounds – including one to his chest and his abdomen – a few blocks from his South Prospect Street home in the city. He told police he was stabbed on Market Street, and that two men took part in the attack.
Two weeks after the incident, Logan Miller and Riley Miller were arrested and charged with conspiracy, attempted homicide, aggravated assault, simple assault and reckless endangerment. Riley Miller was 17 at the time of the incident, but tried as an adult in the case.
Riley Miller’s defense attorney, Phyllis Jin, said the victim identified multiple people as the assailant before pointing the finger at the co-defendants, which is why she thinks the jury acquitted them.
“Identity in this case has always been an issue, from the beginning,” Jin said. “The victim identified one person and then later on changed it to someone else and then it got onto the two co-defendants here. There was so much inconsistency from the witnesses on the identity.”
Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele agreed with Jin’s viewpoint that the jury may have questioned testimony by Stephens during the trial.
“I think there was probably some conflicting testimony amongst our victim and some of our witnesses,” Aubele said. “They were hesitant to come forward … and I think that helped sow some reasonable doubt in the jury’s mind.”
Logan Miller’s defense attorney, Brian Aston, could not be reached for comment on the verdict.
Riley Miller had been free on bond since July 2022, while Logan Miller was only just released from custody at the Fayette County jail this past June after his original $400,000 bond was reduced to unsecured bail, according to online court records.
The trial began Monday and was presided over by Judge Joseph George Jr. ÎÞëÊÓƵ‹ÎÞëÊÓƵ‹at the Fayette County Courthouse.
“We respect the decision of the jury, although we obviously disagree with the verdict,” Aubele said. “It’s unfortunate, but (the defendants) had their day in court.”