Man gets prison after shooting

A Norton man faces seven years in prison for attempted murder and other crimes involving a 2018 domestic incident.

Gregory Ernest Milam, 49, was sentenced Wednesday in Wise County Circuit Court, according to Commonwealth Attorney Chuck Slemp.

Milam received a sentence of 25 years, with 18 years suspended. After his release, he will face seven years of supervised probation and 11 years of unsupervised probation.

Milam remains in the custody of the Duffield regional jail.

In early October, Milam entered a guilty plea under the Alford rule, meaning that he did not admit guilt but acknowledged there was sufficient evidence to convict him.

Milam was convicted of attempted second degree murder, malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and discharge of a firearm in an occupied dwelling.

He faced a possible maximum punishment of up to 43 years in prison.

In the early morning hours of March 4, 2018, Norton police received a report that a 41-year-old woman was taken to Norton Community Hospital with multiple life-threatening gunshot wounds to her hand and chest area. They appeared to be in a defensive posture, according to medical experts.

The victim was stabilized at NCH, then transported by air for further medical treatment.
The victim told hospital personnel that Milam shot her. She and Milam were known to live together from time to time at his residence in Norton.
Upon further investigation, police discovered that Milam had brought the victim to the hospital. Milam had what appeared to be blood on his clothing.
During questioning, Milam stated, “I know this looks bad” and “I know the gun is there.”
Norton police searched Milam’s residence and found a shotgun, an ejected shell casing on the floor and blood. Fresh blood was also found inside Milam’s vehicle.