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Killer says neighbors' dogs sparked fatal shootings
Douglas E. Campbell was convicted of the fatal shootings in July of Richard Miller and his mother, Gail Miller, and was sentenced this week to two life terms in prison plus 20 years.
CHESAPEAKE ? Douglas E. Campbell said he snapped in July when he killed his two next-door neighbors and wounded a third at the Plantation Mobile Home Park.
?Ten years of frustration just blew all at once,?? Campbell said Friday. ?You heard that saying that everybody?s got a breaking point. Well, finally it broke.??
Campbell was sentenced to two life terms this week for the fatal shootings of Richard H. Miller, 32, and his mother, Gail Miller, 59. He received an additional 20 years for the malicious wounding of a third family member, Tenna Miller, 44.
Campbell, who was interviewed in Chesapeake city jail, said he grew frustrated after years of dealing with his neighbors and their pets, which he described as noisy and smelly.
He said the shootings could have been avoided if Chesapeake Animal Control would have stepped in when he complained about the animals.
Tenna Miller disputes much of Campbell?s version of events leading up to the killings.
?He a liar,?? she said Friday.
?He?s just a miserable little man who felt big carrying a shotgun.??
On the evening of July 20, Campbell, a 5-foot-4-inch, 125-pound man, came home after a day of successful fishing.
A bout 7 p.m., he said he noticed that the neighbor?s dog had visited his yard.
Campbell said he approached Richard Miller about the problem.
?I told him that I came home and there were two piles of crap in my yard from that dog,?? Campbell said.
?I told him I was sick of it.??
The two men argued. The confrontation came to an end when Richard Miller called Campbell?s deceased mother a derogatory name, he said.
?And that was the last thing he said, ?? Campbell said.
Campbell said he got his 12-gauge shotgun from his house. He shot Miller twice.
Campbell then saw Gail Miller, who also was shot twice.
?His mother came out of her house, cursing at me, and I said what the hell , I?ve already shot him. I might as well shoot her, too.??
Campbell said the third victim, Tenna Miller, was shot by mistake.
Tenna Miller disagrees, saying he meant to shoot her and had intentions of killing more family members.
?That man has no soul,?? she said. ?He?s empty.?? Other family members hid, ran or took cover.
Police arrested Campbell that night.
Campbell was retired from construction work and living alone with his 5-year-old Jack Russell terrier, Susie, at the time of the murders. When he was employed, Campbell said he would come home after long hours of work hoping for peace and quiet.
?I couldn?t sleep with the dogs barking all night,?? he said. ?This has been going on for years.??
On July 4 Campbell set out a hot dog laced with poison in his yard for his neighbor?s dog, he said.
He said he had a change of heart, however, and removed the tainted food.
Animal Control was called on July 6 , July 9 and other occasions, Campbell said. Attempts to confirm Campbell?s account with Animal Control were unsuccessful Friday.
Campbell, who has had three heart attacks and heart surgery, said he simply wanted to live in peace.
Today he is in a cell with four other men but will soon be transferred to prison, never to be free again.
?I don?t know how I?m going to deal with prison,?? said Campbell, who pleaded guilty to avoid a jury trial and a possible death sentence.
Campbell said he doesn?t hate animals, but if he did, he would have killed his neighbors? dogs first, he said.
He said he was just pushed to his limits.
?These people, who are out here, who are hoarding all these animals, have no consideration for the noise and stench,? he said. ?They need to look out for their neighbors because something like this is going to happen again.??
Tenna Miller said she believes Campbell planned the killings and is now looking for pity.
?All I want that man to do is suffer for what he did to the family and me,?? she said.