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Trial of former Marine accused of killing 2 Kissimmee officers resumes in Osceola County

By Kelly Healey
By Kelly Healey
The trial of a former Marine accused of killing two law enforcement officers will continue Friday in Osceola County.
Everett Miller is facing first-degree murder charges in the shooting deaths of Officer Matthew Baxter and Sgt. Sam Howard in August 2017.
Testimony resumed Thursday after being put on hold due to Hurricane Dorian. It is set to continue Friday morning with additional witnesses taking the stand.

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A witness who found the officers' bodies and called 911 testified Thursday. First responders also testified.  
 “I shook Officer Baxter.  His eyes were closed.  His head was tilted to the right.  As I shook him, I went to do a check; I believe I went to do a pulse on his wrist.  I remember doing a sternum rub on his chest when I went to check. I saw a gunshot wound behind his left ear,” Lt. Christopher Succi with the Kissimmee Police Department said.
Prosecutors filed a motion to keep the defense from revealing information suggesting Miller suffered from diminished mental capacity, which was suggested during opening statements last week.
The defense told the judge they will try to prove that Miller killed the officers in a heat of passion.
Earlier this year, Baxter's widow, Sadia Baxter, spoke with Channel 9 and shared the impact of her loss.
Sadia Baxter said she has a room in her home filled with photographs and mementos of her husband -- a place where she and her daughters may remember him and reflect on their loss.
She said she plans to be in court for each day of Miller's trial.
(Watch interview below)
Everett’s mother, Joann Butler, said her son joined the U.S. Marines Corps after finishing high school, served 24 years and retired. Butler said her son has post-traumatic stress disorder.
“He would give you his heart, but he needed help,” Butler said.
Opening statements began last week.  A judge called two witnesses, and then dismissed the jury until Thursday due to Hurricane Dorian.
Nichole Palmer, who lived near the scene, testified Thursday that she was the first person to approach the officers' bodies and called for help.
"When the dark vehicle left, that's when I seen the two cops on the ground," she said.
Her 911 call was played in court.
"They're not moving," she said. "I don't see them breathing. They're dead."
Sadia Baxter wiped away tears as many of the jurors focused their eyes on the floor while listening.
"I took out my tourniquet. I had it in my hand. I was looking at Matt and Sam," Kissimmee police Sgt. Stacey Baseggio testified. "There was no place to put it. People were screaming for Sam to wake up."
The manhunt for the suspect led Osceola County deputies to Roscoe's Bar, where witnesses said Miller was drinking and got angry when another customer accused him of shooting the officers.
"He just said, 'They got what they deserved,'" said Kelly Cornell, a bar patron.

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