Madison County man sentenced to prison for trying to have his ex-girlfriend killed
An East Alton man has been sentenced to 29 years in prison for trying to have his former girlfriend killed.
Madison County Circuit Court Judge Kyle Napp handed down the sentence Tuesday after a jury in April found Lorenzo D. Miller, 42, guilty of solicitation of murder and obstructing justice.
Miller was accused of encouraging or requesting an acquaintance, Vernon G. McIntosh, 38, of St. Louis, to murder the woman at her home in Alton. The obstruction charge alleged Miller told investigators he did not know McIntosh.
Miller’s attorney could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday.
Assistant State’s Attorney Morgan Hudson said during the trial that Miller was upset about his ex-girlfriend breaking up with him.
On March 26, her home was attacked with a barrage of gunfire. No one was injured, but one bullet grazed her friend’s torso, a news release from Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine said. Three days later, on March 29, her van was torched and she feared someone was trying to lure her outside, the prosecution argued.
Alton Police detectives determined that McIntosh’s car was near her home both times and that Miller and McIntosh communicated minutes before and after the gunfire, according to the release.
At the sentencing hearing Tuesday, Hudson told the judge that the two spoke about McIntosh needing to return to finish the job.
McIntosh is awaiting trial for charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm and arson.
