Murder suspect admits to shooting that followed fight, says he acted in self-defense

Woods was shot in Youngsville on Jan. 29.

A witness to the shooting said the incident began as a fight between two women, and that Woods and Miller became involved. The Woods family believes the woman in the car with Miller and Piper should also be charged.

The lawyers for the two men shared their version of events at a bond hearing on Friday.

"It is a very tragic situation. We are all very sorry. Everyone wishes this didn't happen," Miller's defense attorney said while Miller sat beside him in tears.

Miller's attorney said he and Piper tried to stop the fight between the women, and that Woods struck Miller and threatened him.

"Hearing screams of his girlfriend and fearing for his life and theirs, he fired one shot," the attorney said.

Miller and Piper then left the scene, the attorney said, but stopped and waited for law enforcement to arrive, feeling "remorseful, sad and in shock."

He asked that Miller's bond be reduced.

Prosecutor Lisa Coltrain said Miller could have resolved the situation without resorting to murder.

"He was punched with a fist and responded with a bullet," she said, pointing out that he chose to bring a loaded gun to the fight, and that Woods' autopsy showed he was shot in the chest from several feet away.

Because Miller pulled the trigger, Coltrain said she is considering increasing his charge to first-degree murder.

Piper's court-appointed said he had "no difficulty with anyone and was there for a really silly purpose."

He asked that his client be released and allowed house arrest.

"He should not be punished because a gun was lawfully in his car," the attorney said.

Coltrain countered with the same argument she used against Miller – that the presence of the gun indicated premeditation.

"He may not have pulled the trigger, but he allowed the trigger to be there," Coltrain told the judge.

In the end, the judge allowed bond to stand at $5 million each for Miller and Piper.

The mother of one of the suspects – Piper – formerly worked in the office of Franklin District Attorney Mike Waters, but she has not done so for three years.

The Woods family is also concerned about a social media post showing Miller, Thomas and another man and woman with a message about being part of the Franklin County KKK. It is not clear who posted that photo or who added the caption.

Lynch said on Friday that the Franklin County Sheriff's Office has yet to respond to his questions about the photo.