By JIM TALBERT\Staff
TAZEWELL – Charges of manslaughter, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and shooting into an occupied dwelling house were certified to grand jury Nov. 6.
Randy Miller Howerton, 31, of Falls Mills was charged in the death of Wesley Milam, 42, of Kegley, WV., last January. Howerton was sent to Central State Hospital and evaluated for competency to stand trial which resulted in the delay in the preliminary hearing.
Cedar Bluff Police Chief David Mills, a detective with the Tazewell County sheriff’s Office at the time of the incident testified for the commonwealth. Mills said he received a call in the early morning hours of Jan. 10 and went to the residence in Falls Mills.
Mills said he learned the victim and Howerton had both been taken to Bluefield Regional Medical Center and he proceeded there.
When he arrived, Mills said he learned, Milam, who had been shot once in the stomach had died from the injury. Mills said he interviewed Howerton and was told he and the victim had been partying that evening and were horsing around with the gun when it discharged.
District Judge Jack S. Hurley, Jr. found probable cause to certify all of the charges against Howerton. The defense did not put on any witnesses at the hearing.
Howerton did ask for bond and the request was denied by Hurley. He was remanded to the Southwest Regional Jail.
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