Two men acquitted of attempted murder in Connellsville stabbing

Two men accused of stabbing a man to death in Connellsville more than two years ago were acquitted of all charges – including attempted murder – by a Fayette County jury after a two-day trial.

The jury deliberated for about two hours Tuesday and found Logan Anthony Miller, 21, of Connellsville, and Riley Allen Miller, 20, of Southwest, not guilty 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 the chest and abdomen – a few blocks from his home on South Prospect Street in the city. He told police he was stabbed on Market Street and that two men were involved in the attack.

Two weeks after the incident, Logan Miller and Riley Miller were arrested and charged with conspiracy, attempted murder, aggravated assault, simple assault, and reckless endangerment. Riley Miller was 17 at the time of the incident, but was tried as an adult in this case.

Riley Miller's defense attorney, Phyllis Jin, said the victim identified several people as the attackers before pointing the finger at the co-defendants, which is why she believes the jury acquitted her.

“Identity was an issue in this case from the beginning,” Jin said. “The victim identified one person and later changed it to another, and then it got to the two co-defendants here. There were so many inconsistencies among the witnesses regarding identity.”

Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele agreed with Jin's view that the jury may have questioned Stephens' testimony during the trial.

“I think there was probably conflicting testimony between our victim and some of our witnesses,” Aubele said. “They were hesitant to come forward … and I think that helped sow reasonable doubt in the minds of the jury.”

Logan Miller's defense attorney, Brian Aston, could not be reached for comment on the verdict.

Riley Miller had been free on bail since July 2022, while Logan Miller was only released from custody at the Fayette County Jail last June after his original $400,000 bail was reduced to unsecured bail, online court records show.

The trial began Monday and was presided over by Judge Joseph George Jr. at the Fayette County Courthouse.

“We respect the jury's decision, although we obviously disagree with the verdict,” Aubele said. “It's unfortunate, but (the defendants) had their day in court.”