Myles Stout is escorted into Judge Russell Bean’s courtroom by Hamilton County court officer Tommy Eustice in this file photo. Stout faces charges in the shooting death of his friend, Myles Compton.A man accused of shooting and killing an 18-year-old acquaintance is headed to a ranch that claims to offer rehabilitation for young men with “life controlling problems.”
Myles Stout, 20, accused in the slaying of Myles Compton, will spend four months at Disciples of Christ Ranch in Okeechobee, Fla., after Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Barry Steelman granted Stout’s request to enter the program.
Stout is out on bond and awaiting trial next year. The time at the ranch will not count for any kind of court sentencing, Stout’s attorney, Hank Hill, said.
Stout has been charged with second-degree murder, reckless homicide and reckless endangerment in the March 9 shooting, which happened at the home of Compton’s friend Kevin Driscoll.
In May, Driscoll testified in General Sessions Court that he and a group of friends were passing around his father’s Sig Sauer handgun after Driscoll unloaded the firearm.
Driscoll said he didn’t know who loaded the gun before Stout handled it. Other witnesses testified Stout pressed the weapon to Compton’s chest and fired, according to Chattanooga Times Free Press archives.
Stout told police he did not know the gun was loaded when he shot and killed Compton.
Compton’s father, who attended Monday’s proceedings, said he doesn’t understand why Stout is out on bond.
“He’s charged with murder, so for him to be out on bond and to go to Florida is kind of absurd. I’m against it,” Jesse Compton said.
Because those on bond are permitted to travel, the state did not issue any formal opposition to Stout’s entering the program.
Hill argued that the program was actually “more restrictive than just being out on bond.” The private residential program involves volunteer work and counseling, and participants are required to stay on campus, Hill said.
“I wouldn’t call it a boot camp,” Hill said. “It’s a program that emphasizes community involvement and will hopefully help him get perspective of where his life is and where he wants it to go.”
A message on the ranch’s answering system says the program is for young men ages 18 to 25. Representatives from the company did not return phone calls Monday.
A trial date for Stout has been set for March 6, but Hill said Stout is slated to return from the program before a status check with the court on Jan. 11.
Contact staff writer Kate Harrison at kharrison@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6673.