In the Courts

Keel receives life sentence for Mills murder

PARKERSBURG -- Justin Keel was sentenced to life in prison for the May 2022 shooting death of Terrence (T.J.) Mills Jr.

Keel appeared in the Wood County Circuit Court of Judge Jason Wharton on Wednesday for sentencing.

Keel, also known as George Smith, was found guilty in February of felony murder, robbery in the first-degree, presentation of a firearm during the commission of a felony and conspiracy to commit a felony.

He was found not guilty of murder in the first-degree and two counts of wanton endangerment with a firearm. The jury did recommend mercy on the felony murder charge which means he would be sentenced to life in prison and could be eligible for parole in 15 years.

Testimony during trial indicated Mills was going to meet Dezaray Lynn Roberts of Vienna to sell her some marijuana on May 17, 2022. Roberts, along with Keel and Donavan McCune, planned to rob him of the marijuana in an alleyway near Covert Street. At the meeting, Keel and Donavan rushed at Mills with Keel firing a gun where one shot hit Mills, testimony indicated. Mills fled the scene but collapsed in a flowerbed of a nearby house. He succumbed to his injuries after being transported to the hospital.

Keel remained mostly quiet throughout the hearing, only answering questions put forth by Wharton. He remained stoic and stared ahead when a letter was read written by Mills' sister and when Mill's mother addressed him. He did acknowledge his own family who appeared in the courtroom.

Wharton denied motions for a post judgment acquittal and for a new trial.

Keel declined to say anything when given the opportunity.

Wood County Prosecutor Pat Lefebure said in 2018 Keel was convicted of attempted murder while a juvenile in the shooting of another individual. He went to a juvenile facility and was released in December 2021, noting Mills death occurred within a year and a half of his release. Lefebure also said Keel indiscriminately shot bullets into nearby homes when he was shooting at Mills. Bullets from a shooting incident two months prior to this incident were matched to the gun Keel used.

`I don't think the court should show any kind of mercy in regards to the sentencing in this case given his prior acts,'' Lefebure said. "This is an individual who has no regard for society, our rules or human life.

"This is an individual who does not deserve any kind of mercy."

Lefebure read a letter from Mills' sister, Tiana, where she talked about how T.J.'s death has impacted their family.

​"T.J. brought so much joy, laughter and smiles to everyone," the letter said. "I think about how all I have are memories and that is it.

"No more hugs or `I love yous' or time together. I have never felt pain like this before. The moment my brother died is the moment I lost a piece of myself. No one should lose their life over a senseless act of violence."

She wrote about attending court hearings and the trial and how it always seemed Keel was treating everything like a joke, smirking and smiling, showing no remorse or mercy.

Although she feels justice is served, it won't bring her brother back. She just wished if she knew the last time she saw him was going to be the last time, she would have hugged him a little longer and tighter.

"This will always be a part of our story," she wrote.

Donna Mills, T.J.'s mother, addressed Keel directly in court, calling him "Mr. Smith," something she has waited for two years to do. She said he has shown no remorse in what he did and how he always seemed to treat the proceedings like a joke.

"T.J. did not deserve this and our family did not deserve this,'' she said as her voice was cracking through the tears. "I only wish West Virginia had the death penalty so your family could suffer and feel the pain mine has for the last two years.

"You are not a thug or a gangster. You are a piece of (expletive) who doesn't deserve to see the light of day again. May God have mercy on your soul."

She then asked Wharton to impose the maximum sentence.

​"No mother should have to plan a funeral for their child," she said. "He is a cold-blooded killer."

If Keel would have gotten a stronger sentence when he was a juvenile, Mrs. Mills said her son might still be alive.

​"He has no feeling," she said. "He likes killing and hurting people's families. I need justice and more importantly T.J. needs justice."

Wharton sentenced Keel to life in prison, pursuant to the jury's recommendation of mercy with 0 days credit for time served. On the charge of presentation of a firearm during the commission of a felony, Wharton sentenced Keel to 10 years with 0 days credit for time served. On the charge of conspiracy to commit a felony, Wharton sentenced Keel to 1-5 years with 563 days credit for time served.

All the sentences will run consecutively to each other, Wharton ruled.

He was also ordered Keel to pay $492 in court fees, $4,897.13 in jury costs as well as around $3,000 in attorney fees.

Keel will serve the sentences in order with the conspiracy first, then the firearm charge and then the felony murder charge, the judge said.

Based on the nature of the offenses Keel has done, any alternative sentencing would not be recommended.

"The public good does require that he be in prison," Wharton said.

Defense attorney J. Morgan Leach indicated they will appeal the verdict.

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com