Marion County — The first-degree murder trial of Terry Tobias Cobbins, Jr., 32, is scheduled to begin next week at the Marion County courthouse. Jury selection is slated to begin Tuesday .
Authorities say Cobbins shot and killed Teresa Louise Miller on January 7, 2011 at her home south of Knoxville. Her husband, Michael Jamey Miller, is accused of hiring Cobbins and is being tried separately on charges of first degree murder. His trial is scheduled for March.
Cobbins and Michael Jamey Miller worked together at Marzetti's Frozen Pasta in Clive prior to the shooting, according to court records. At the same time, Miller was allegedly having an affair. The affair had been ongoing for approximately six months.
During that time, Miller allegedly told his mistress that he was single. She found out that Miller was married, and in the days leading up to Teresa Louise Miller's death, the mistress had told Miller she wanted to be the only woman in his life and threatened to end the relationship.
One of Cobbins' neighbors told police that Michael Jamey Miller had previously approached Cobbins and said he was worried that if he got a divorce, his wife would take all of his money. The neighbor indicated Miller had told Cobbins he wanted his wife dead and that he would be willing to pay. Cobbins allegedly asked the neighbor to help him kill Teresa Louise Miller, but the neighbor declined.
The murder
On the day of Teresa Louise Miller's death, Michael Jamey Miller made his vehicle available to Cobbins and one other person, according to court records. The second individual, with Cobbins, picked Michael Jamey Miller up from work and went with him to a Des Moines rental car agency.
There, Miller rented a Suburban. Cobbins, in an interview with out-of-state law enforcement, confirmed that Miller rented the vehicle for him. Cobbins did not have a credit card, so Miller used his.
Cobbins intended to use the vehicle to take his wife and her six children on an out-of-state road trip. A neighbor observed Cobbins and family packing the vehicle from noon-2 p.m., on the day of Teresa Louise Miller's death. The family left for Wisconsin at 3 p.m., and arrived in Milwaukee at approximately 7 p.m.
The next day, Jan. 8, Miller allegedly went to the home of his mistress. He told her he was now single and they could be together in about a month, according to court records.
Miller was in contact with Cobbins the day before, the day of and in the days after the shooting, according to cell phone records. Cobbins' wife told police she once answered the phone on Jan. 10, and it was Miller asking to talk to Cobbins. Cobbins said he spoke to Miller on Jan. 9 to discuss returning the Suburban.
The investigation
Authorities allegedly found printed MapQuest directions from his workplace to the Miller home when they searched Cobbins’ home. Cobbins told police that the directions, including handwriting on them, belonged to Miller. He planned to have dinner at the Miller home, but it never happened, according to court documents.
The two interviews were conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice and Division of Criminal Investigation (DOJ-DCI). Cobbins was picked up on a material witness warrant issued Jan. 10.
The DOJ-DCI asked Cobbins if he knew of any problems in Miller's marriage. He said he did not know of any, but knew Miller had a “squeeze on the side.” Cobbins also denied being asked to do anything for money, but said Miller offered him $500 for a gun. Court records indicate Cobbins told investigators Miller wanted someone “handled,” and Cobbins took that to mean Miller wanted someone dead.
Authorities conducted a second interview with Cobbins on Jan. 11, 2011. During this interview, Cobbins admitted to having knowledge of a custody battle involving Teresa Louise Miller and that Michael Jamey Miller wanted it to end.
Cobbins, according to court records, recalled a discussion he had with Miller before Thanksgiving 2010, in which Miller allegedly offered him $30,000 to kill Teresa Louise Miller. Cobbins discussed it with his wife, though he denied such a conversation during the first interview.
Charges
Cobbins was charged with first-degree murder and held in Milwaukee for months, as Marion County authorities awaited the proper extradition paperwork. Upon his arrival in Marion County, Cobbins pleaded not guilty.
He is being defended by Matthew Sheeley and Philip Reser from the adult division of the Juvenile Public Defender's Office. The standard public defender's office is representing Miller, creating a conflict.
Judge John Lloyd is assigned to the case. Cobbins waived his right to have a speedy trial, including a waiver to have his trial take place within a year of the crime for which he is charged.
Cobbins has been held in the Marion County Jail since his arrival. His bond was set at $1.5 million. Miller has also been held in the Marion County Jail for over one year.
