The Murder of Cole Cannon
For this case, I watched an episode of Deadliest Kids. It’s season 1 episode 4, titled ‘The Murder of Cole Cannon.’
A trailer belonging to a father of three is set on fire.
Background
Cole Cannon had a difficult upbringing. His family grew up poor, and his father was very abusive. When Cole got married and had children, he was determined to give his family a great life, much different from the one he had.
Cole owned his own painting business, as well as a baseball card business. Cole soon fell on hard times, and turned to alcohol to cope. His dependency on alcohol led to his divorce. By 2003, Cole was struggling financially, and moved into the Country Living trailer park, while he got back on his feet.
Cole Cannon
The Fire
Just a few weeks before Cole’s death, he spoke to his daughter, Candy, who was worried about him living in the trailer park. There was a lot of criminal and gang activity, but Cole assured his daughter it was just temporary.
On July 16, 2003, around 6am, the Alabama State Fire Marshals received a call about a fire at Cole Cannon’s trailer. Cole’s body was found inside after the fire was put out. The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office also arrived on the scene.
The police spoke to several neighbors of Cole’s, and came to the conclusion that it was an accidental fire. The Miller family told the police that Cole had come over to their trailer very intoxicated. They said that Cole had complained about how he burned his dinner, so they gave him some of theirs. They said he left after dinner, and fell asleep on his couch.
Another Look at the Case
Just a few hours after the fire was put out, Cole’s family was notified about his death. They were told that it was ruled as accidental, and that Cole had a cigarette in his hand when he fell asleep.
Cole’s family didn’t have any reason to believe that it wasn’t an accidental death. That was until they entered the trailer after it was released to them.
The Miller family met them outside the trailer. Susie Miller, and her son, Jonathan, told them that Cole was intoxicated, and had been put on the couch to sleep after he had dinner. Susie’s other son, Evan, who was 14, had arrived to the scene in a truck, but had left immediately after seeing Cole’s family.
Inside the trailer, there was a lot of blood found. On the coffee table, on a pillow and on a towel. Cole’s family also found it very odd that Cole was found near the back door of the trailer, not on the couch.
Investigator Tim Sandlin agreed that another investigation needed to be done. Cole’s family just wanted answers, and justice for their father.
The Motive
On July 20, 2003, Cole was laid to rest. But, his family knew that some of his personal items were missing.
Cole’s wallet hadn’t been located on July 16. His family said it was odd, because Cole even slept with his wallet on him. Cole was often paid in cash from his painting business. Cole didn’t have a checking account, but would pay his bills in cash. His family also suspected that some of his baseball cards were missing.
The police received several tips that Evan Miller, and his friend, Colby Smith, 16, were seen with the missing items. Evan’s girlfriend at the time, also said that the two boys went back to the trailer, and hid the wallet under the couch. The wallet was recovered, as well as a baseball bat.
The police went to speak to Evan’s family. His mom, Susie, and his sister, returned some of the baseball cards to the police. The two teenagers were detained for a robbery investigation.
The Confessions
Evan and Colby were both questioned. Evan went first, but denied being involved. He said he fell asleep, and woke up to the fire department being at the trailer.
The police asked Evan to go through his timeline from July 15, but Evan was described as being really frustrated with them. He then had a new version of events.
Evan’s new story was that he and Colby were at Cole’s trailer. He said he they thought Cole was passed out, but an altercation began when they tried to steal money from Cole’s wallet. Evan said Colby used a baseball bat to hit Cole, but minimized his own involvement.
Colby’s story was similar. He did admit that they went to Cole’s to steal his money and baseball cards. He said they took his wallet out of his pocket, and took the cash out. When they went to put Cole’s money back in his pocket, he woke up, and an altercation started. He said they beat Cole with the baseball bat, and their fists. Before leaving the trailer, they started several fires.
The Evidence
Sadly, Cole’s body had to be exhumed. His family was upset, but they knew that they needed to know the truth, and get justice for their father.
Cole’s autopsy seemed to match Colby’s story. Cole had a fractured skull, broken ribs, and had soot in his lungs. Cole had been alive at the time when the fires were set.
The police also had learned from Colby, that the two boys had been going back and forth between Cole and Evan’s trailers. They had heard that Cole had money, and thought that his baseball cards were valuable.
They eventually went to Cole’s trailer with him. They gave Cole alcohol, until they thought he passed out. They tried to steal his wallet, but Cole woke up when they were putting it back in his pocket. Colby hit Cole with the baseball bat, as he begged for his life.
Colby told the police that Evan put a t-shirt over Cole’s face, and told him that he was God, and was going to take his life. They set the fires, left, and went back to Cole’s trailer one last time. Colby described that they had heard Cole gasping for air.
Evan Miller and Colby Smith were both charged with capital murder.
The Convictions
Before his trial, Colby pled guilty, and in exchange for his testimony, was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole.
In October 2006, Evan Miller pled not guilty. Cole’s family described him as being not remorseful, and was seen smirking at them at trial.
Evan’s mom even testified, and said that her son was dangerous.
On October 20, 2006, Evan Miller was found guilty, and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. It’s believed that he would’ve received the death penalty if he would’ve been older.
Evan Miller at 14-years-old
Colby Smith
The Appeals
Evan’s case was appealed, and went up to the Supreme Court. In 2012, the court ruled that life sentences given to minors was unconstitutional.
In April 2021, Evan’s life sentence was upheld. He continues to appeal his sentence.
Evan in a more recent photo
FINAL THOUGHTS
This case is so sickening. Cole was trying to get his life back on track only for it to be taken away from him. Colby was described as remorseful, but I don’t believe that. He may had been more remorseful than Evan, but he still decided to kill a man who was begging for his life. They killed him over money, and only took about $350. It’s disgusting, and I'm so glad both of them will be in prison for a long time. I think the world will be a better place with them off the streets.
Sources
https://murderpedia.org/male.M/m/miller-evan.htm
https://www.oxygen.com/crime-news/evan-miller-given-second-life-sentence-for-2003-murder
https://www.moultonadvertiser.com/news/article_6a49e92e-a85d-11eb-89dd-a309f984a195.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miller_v._Alabama
