Myles Stout trial set March 6 in death of 18-year-old Chattanooga man

Friday, January 1, 1904

photo Attorney Hank Hill, left, stands with client Myles Stout in Judge Barry Steelman's courtroom Monday afternoon.

The second-degree murder trial of a 21-year-old man charged in the shooting death of another man is scheduled March 6.

Attorneys for both the prosecution and defense met in Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Barry Steelman's courtroom Monday for a pretrial conference.

Defendant Myles Stout's attorneys, Hank Hill and Mike Little, told Steelman they were prepared for the trial.

Assistant District Attorney Lance Pope told Steelman that the .40-caliber Sig Sauer handgun used in the killing of 18-year-old Myles Compton soon should be returned from ballistics testing at the state crime lab.

A local weapons expert will conduct an inspection to determine if the handgun has any defects that could cause a misfire or malfunction.

Witnesses testified that, on March 9, 2011, Stout held the pistol to Compton's chest and fired while they were at a party at 9125 Stoney Mountain Drive.

Kevin Driscoll, who lives in the home, testified in a Sessions Court hearing two weeks later that he took the gun out of a gunbox. He said the gun was empty when he took it out and he didn't know who loaded it.

Stout was released on a reduced bond of $27,000 in June and attended the Disciples of Christ Ranch in Okeechobee, Fla. -- a Christian facility with counseling and volunteer work -- from September through January.

Hill has maintained in previous interviews that the shooting was accidental and his client didn't know the weapon was loaded.

Stout faces charges of second-degree murder, reckless endangerment and reckless homicide.

Pope told Steelman he would not include voluntary manslaughter as a lesser offense.

Contact staff writer Todd South at tsouth@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6347.