SOUTH BEND — Prosecutors allege that three people hatched a plan to kill Cornelius “Corey” Miller and successfully carried it out on Nov. 30 in retaliation for an argument Miller had earlier that day.
Prosecutors have charged three people in the slaying: Brittney Watson, 19; Steven Rice, 21; and Stephon Rice, 18, all of Chicago.
Watson, upset after an argument with Miller earlier that day, called the Rices in Chicago to have him “taken care of,” according to prosecutors.
The Rices, who are brothers, came to South Bend to carry out the crime at Watson’s request, charging documents show.
All three people face one count of murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder. They were arrested in Chicago on Saturday.
One of Miller’s friends, aware of the murder plot, tried to warn him of the impending danger.
The friend told investigators that one of the Rice brothers pointed a gun at him, mistakenly thinking he was the intended target.
Brittney Watson allegedly yelled out, “No, no, no; that’s not him.”
Watson then apparently got into a vehicle with the Rice brothers and two other men and left the residence.
The friend tried calling Miller but was unsuccessful.
Around 2:15 a.m., Miller answered a knock at his door and was shot in the chest and arm, collapsing in a hallway, police said.
He was found dead by police after a witness called 911.
Investigators believe multiple weapons were used in the shooting, based on shell casings found at the scene.
Investigators said Miller was from Chicago, but charging documents indicate he lived at 518 S. Lombardy, where he was killed.
Miller’s homicide is the eighth in St. Joseph County this year.
