Father and Son Reject Plea Deals in Camden Murder Case

A father and son implicated in a gruesome murder and dismemberment in Camden County have rejected plea agreements from prosecutors, startling officials and the community. After a night of cards with friends in June, Harold “Hal” Miller Jr., 48, was killed.

Camden resident Everton R. Thomas, 42, is accused of shooting Miller to death. Authorities say Thomas’ wife and son helped him dismember and dispose of the body. Recently, Everton Thomas and his 23-year-old son Deshawn Thomas pled not guilty. In January, 41-year-old Sherrie M. Parker, a third defendant, will be arraigned.

Prosecutors offered Everton Thomas a plea deal to plead guilty to first-degree murder for 30 years without parole. The plea offer from Deshawn Thomas was second-degree desecration of human remains with a seven-year sentence. Both defendants declined these offers, citing the need to evaluate a lot of prosecution digital evidence. Deshawn Thomas’ attorney said the evidence includes two gigabytes of security footage, pictures, and thousands of pages of paperwork.

Miller’s phone led police to Everton Thomas after he was last seen alive in Camden on June 12. Miller entered Thomas’ home and fired one round, according to surveillance footage. Later, Thomas household witnesses heard power tools in the basement and cleaning in numerous rooms. One witness reported a distinct decomposing smell.

The Thomases allegedly bought a chainsaw, containers, cleaning supplies, heavy-duty bags, ice, gloves, duct tape, and plastic sheeting after the murder. Surveillance shows many trips to a Camden apartment complex to dispose of black trash bags and a later trip with gray containers suspected to contain the victim’s remains. No corpse has been found for Miller.

Deshawn Thomas reportedly told a witness that his father had asked him to help “chop up” a body and searched online to see if a chainsaw could cut meat. Everton After being questioned by authorities, Thomas fled to Canada but was caught and brought to the US. Thomas had Miller’s blood and a gun from the incident at home.

Authorities say the murder was premeditated but have not revealed a motive. Everton Thomas is charged with first-degree murder, second-degree desecration of human remains, and evidence tampering. Deshawn Thomas and Parker are accused of desecration and evidence manipulation. Three defendants remain in detention, with a February court hearing for the Thomases.

Police continue to search for Miller’s remains and urge anyone with information to call the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit or the Camden County Police Department. The matter is closely monitored as inquiries continue.

Sources:

• Camden County Prosecutor’s Office

• Camden County Police Department

• Court records and arraignment reports