Attempted Murder on State Street

On December 24, 1980, at 11:15 P.M., mark 40 years ago, our family nightmare started from domestic violence. This night we celebrated with some family friends Paul Carson and his daughter Patty.  As we were exchanging gifts and we were watching Christmas specials on TV. During that evening, Dad (our step-father) came over to Paul’s house. He was invited to come in to join us, but Dad didn’t want to come in.  He asks our mother to go outside because he had a present for her, but she refused.  So, it was getting late, and mom wanted to get home, so we left Paul’s house somewhere around 10:00 P.M. or 10:30 P.M.  I am guessing we arrived at our family home, maybe 10:45 P.M. 

We drove down State Street in front of the house where we lived, and we notice that the lights over the kitchen sink were off, and the dining room lights were on.  That was not the way we left the lights on in the house.  There were two driveways to the house.  We had a driveway on the side of the house and another driveway in the back.  So, our mother pulls into the back driveway. The weather was cold, and it had been snowing that day.  

So I told mother I would go into the house to check out the situation.  Mom and my two sisters, little Linda and Genine, stay in the car.  They all were sitting in the front seat.  I get out of the vehicle and proceed to the back door.  The only thing that was light in color was the snow; it was dark and cold.  We had two rear entry doors to the house; one went into the kitchen, and the other was to the basement, and stairs lead up to the kitchen. 

I had my keys in my hand to unlock the basement door as I put the key into the lock, but I didn’t hear either one of the dogs making noise or (barking).  I had heard a noise as if someone was running from the kitchen to my parent’s bedroom, not knowing who it could be.  By this time, I was nervous as hell, not knowing what I was walking into the dark.  So, I open the basement door, and it was very dark in the basement.  The light switch was at the top of the stairs.  I walked in the door and looked to my left downstairs to see if anyone was there, but I couldn’t tell.  So I proceeded up the stairs, maybe six to eight steps.  At this time, I position both of my hands on the door frame to the kitchen.  I put my head into the kitchen to glance around, and I could only see part of the dining room.  To the right of the door frame was my parents’ bedroom. In a blink of an eye, I heard someone coming toward me to grab my coat.  At this time, my hand was on the door frame, and I pushed myself back down the stairs out the back door.

Once I got outside, I turn to run to the car. As I did, I turn and notice that it was Dad.  I was yelling at him, asking what the fuck he was doing, and you’re crazy.  Keep in mind, as I was only sixteen years old as this is taking place.  By this time, I was on the diver side of the car, yelling at dad.  That is when I notice dad had a gun in his hand.  Mother was yelling at me and telling me to get into the car.  So I finally got into the car, and we locked all the doors.  Mother was getting ready to back up to leave, but dad ran around the vehicle to mother’s side.  Dad was yelling at our mother and calling her a bitch to unlock the door.  He had the gun pointed at the door, so our mother put the car in drive to go forward, not much because the garage was there.  Then dad ran in the front of the vehicle, and mother then put the car into reverse to leave.  Mother leaned over to her right in the seat; Genine push Little Linda down to the floorboard, and Genine tried to lean over to her left across mother. I was in the back seat! At this time, dad starts to fire the gun across the windshield at least six to eight times.

Mother was trying to get traction to back up out of the driveway, and finally, we did.  So, I ask if everyone was ok.  I came across the seat to look at our mother, and I couldn’t see if she was shot or not.  Then I turn to my right and look at Little Linda, and she seems to be ok.  Then I turn to Genine, and all I saw was blood down her face and glasses.  The wound was open in her head.  At this time, I told mom to get to the hospital now.  I didn’t tell mother why but we need help. We arrive at St. Elizabeth Hospital ER.  We had glass everywhere in the car.  I told everyone to stay put; I am going inside to get help.  I ran into the ER past the registration in the back, telling the nurses and doctors my sister been shot and my mother not doing well because of her heart.  At this time, I called the police department to tell them what has happened.  Then I called Paul and told him what had just happened, so he and his daughter came up to the hospital to stay with Little Linda and myself.  I was in the waiting room with Little Linda hold her hand tightly.  She was only six years old.  

My anxiety was through the roof at this time. In an hour or so, Paul arrived, and I just lost it. Time was ticking and ticking away.  I didn’t know what was happening to our mother or my sister. This was just a nightmare!  

The cops came to the hospital, and they had talked to me, and I told them my mother and sister was in the back and my sister was having emergency surgery.  I said, dad shot my sister, and I show them the car and the inside.  The police had our dad in the police car and yelling to tell Genine he was sorry that he shot her.  I am guessing mom finally came out from the ER to where we were in the waiting room.  Paul took mother, all of us kid back to our house, probably around 4:30 A.M.  The reason I know the time was because I had a paper route and there was a detective as one of my customer and he came to the house.  When we arrived, mom asked Paul to check and make sure no one was in the house. 

My sister’s outcome, she was shot two times, once in the head a few millimeters from her temple, and the other was in her arm, but she survived!  This did change her future to be a nurse.  She would be one hell of a GREAT nurse.  I am sharing this story because today, December 24, 2020, at 11:15 P.M., marks 40 years that our family almost lost my sister.  However, our nightmare did end as we would live through hell for the next four months.  She passed away on January 6, 2015, as I write this in her memories with love.  I will never have another sister like her!  Rest in peace, and Merry Christmas, Sis, and we love you!

This is a healing process for me. I feel as if I am going back in time to pick up where I have left off at the age of 16. Christmas has never been the same for me. I have struggled not to engage in actives for the holidays. One day I can fly free.

Budd Miller (inmate) – Block Parole

Written By: Greg MD