In the winter of 2015, what began as a robbery over a video game console and some marijuana culminated in the tragic death of 31-year-old Anthony Garland. A father of five, Garland was found deceased in his Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, apartment on the evening of January 27th, having been shot multiple times in the torso, neck, and arm. His right pants pocket had been turned inside out, hinting at the robbery that had taken a fatal turn.
The investigation into the death of the young, male
victim quickly led authorities to two suspects: Troy Miller, 21, of Homewood, and James Meek, 26, who lived in the same Kelly Avenue apartment building as Garland. Phone records were instrumental in breaking the case, revealing that the last call Garland received was from Miller's cell phone. Further investigation of Miller's phone uncovered text messages where he inquired about borrowing a 'poundcake,' a slang term for a handgun, for a 'job' he was planning.
Under police questioning, both Miller and Meek implicated each other in the crime, each painting the other as the primary aggressor. Their conflicting stories outlined a plan to rob Garland under the pretense of purchasing marijuana. Meek informed detectives that he and Miller went to Garland's apartment with the intent to rob him. He claimed that after they were let inside, it was Miller who shot Garland multiple times with a 9mm handgun. Miller, however, told a different story, stating that the 'issue' was between Meek and Garland and that he was merely present. He admitted to being armed but alleged that Meek was the one who fired the weapon. Following the shooting, an Xbox and marijuana were stolen from Garland's apartment.
The two men were arrested and charged with criminal homicide, robbery, and criminal conspiracy. Following a preliminary hearing where the conflicting accounts were presented, a district judge ordered both Troy Miller and James Meek to stand trial for the murder of Anthony Garland. After being tried and convicted for their roles in the senseless crime, both men were sentenced to 20 to 40 years in prison.
