News

Police say man used teenage daughter to plot murder of ex-girlfriend

SHELTON, Wash. — A 37-year-old man, his 16-year-old daughter and her 18-year-old boyfriend were arrested Friday, accused of plotting and carrying out the slaying of a Shelton woman last week.

Police said Barbara Giles heard a knock on her door in the early morning hours of November 21. When she opened the door, she was shot four times.  She later died from her injuries.

The Mason County Sheriff's Office said Giles’ ex-boyfriend, Anthony Raymond Miller, was angry about a child custody issue and plotted Giles’ murder with the help of his 16-year-old daughter.

Mason County Chief Deputy Dean Byrd said a check of phone records showed text messages between the girl and her boyfriend, 18-year-old James Hartfield, reveal they were plotting the killing nearly a week before it was carried out.

Investigators said Hartfield and Miller’s daughter went to Giles’ house without Miller.  Police said Hartfield shot Giles when she opened the door.

It took time for detectives to fit the pieces of the case together. While the investigation was ongoing, the alleged mastermind of the slaying, Miller, was given custody of Giles’ children, according to the Sheriff's Office.

All three are in custody and may make court appearances Friday.