In the early morning hours of December 1, 2022, the life of 31-year-old Phillip M. Glass was cut short in Elizabethton, Tennessee. Authorities responded to reports of noise and gunshots near Oakmont Drive and Milligan Highway, where they discovered a two-vehicle crash. Inside one of the cars, a Honda Accord, was Glass, who had been fatally shot.
The investigation into the male's death quickly led to two persons of interest, 23-year-old Cody A. Miller and 20-year-old Kimberly Nicole Thomas. A multi-day search resulted in their location and subsequent questioning. Following the questioning, Thomas was released from custody. The investigation also identified a second suspect, 24-year-old Brandon Lee Blackwell of Hampton. Both Miller and Blackwell were arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with Glass's death.
According to court documents, the motive for the shooting appeared to stem from a personal conflict, as Miller was reportedly upset that Glass was dating his ex-girlfriend. Investigators learned that both Miller and Blackwell allegedly bragged to individuals about their involvement in the killing. One affidavit stated that Miller boasted about where he had shot Glass and how 'cool' it was. Another affidavit claimed that Blackwell also bragged about shooting Glass and being certain he had killed him.
A preliminary hearing provided further insight into the events leading up to the fatal shooting. Kimberly Thomas, a passenger in Glass's vehicle and the mother of his child, testified about the strained relationship between Glass and Miller. She recounted that on the night of the incident, she and Glass had been arguing at a party. As they were leaving, an encounter with Miller and Blackwell escalated, leading to the shooting. Evidence presented at the hearing included the recovery of shell casings from two different caliber firearms, a. 380 and a 9mm. Following the hearing, a judge ruled there was sufficient probable cause to bind both Cody Alan Miller and Brandon Lee Blackwell over to the grand jury on first-degree murder charges.
