Miller Survives Life-Threatening Attack from Cousin

By Joel Frady

A domestic dispute fueled by alcohol almost claimed the life of 23-year-old Kenny Wayne Miller. Ashe County

Sheriff James Williams reported that his officers responded to an emergency call on Wednesday, Feb. 4, after Miller had his throat slit by 45-year-old David Wayne Miller.

According to Williams, the incident took place on Big Windfall Road in Lansing between 10:45 and 11 p.m.

"These two are cousins," said Williams. "There was an altercation, and at some point David Wayne Miller got a knife and apparently came up behind the victim and cut his throat."

Major Bucky Absher of the Sheriff's Office said that Kenny Miller walked to a neighboring house after the incident and that the emergency call was placed from that house.

David Miller was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon and inflicting serious injury with intent to kill. The charge is a Class C felony and, if convicted, Miller could face between 44 and 210 months of jail time.

Absher added that it was "just one of those situations where you had alcohol involved - way too much alcohol," and that Kenny Miller was "very, very fortunate" that the injury was not more serious.

"The cut was probably about seven or eight inches around his neck," said Absher, "from the center of his throat all the way back behind his ear. Fortunately, it was not deep enough for it to be fatal."

Kenny Miller was transferred to Ashe Memorial Hospital. Surgery was required to mend his wounds, but he has since been released from the hospital.

David Miller is currently being held in the Ashe County Jail under a secured bond of $100,000, and the investigation is ongoing.