Murder suspect awaits trial
Jan. 6 at approximately 10:22 a.m., Franklin County 911 received a call for a reported shooting from 194 Block Church Road in Phil Campbell – and investigators have charged the caller with the crime.
Franklin County sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene, along with emergency medical personnel from the Phil Campbell Rescue Squad. Upon arrival, deputies found Jason Floyd Baker inside the home suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the head. Responding deputies encountered Jerry Ronald Mills, 63, upon arrival at the scene and determined he had placed the 911 call.
Baker was declared deceased by emergency workers at the scene, according to the FCSO. The FCSO Criminal Investigations Division also responded to the scene.
FCSO investigators began an investigation into the shooting. A preliminary investigation found Baker had been shot once in the head allegedly by his roommate, Mills. Upon presenting the preliminary investigation details to the Franklin County district attorney’s office, Mills was placed under arrest and charged with murder.
At the time of the shooting, Mills was on an appeals bond for a prior manslaughter conviction in Franklin County, according to the FCSO. A bond revocation hearing was conducted Jan. 7. Mills’ bond was revoked, and he was ordered to remain in jail until trial of this murder charge.
