MARYVILLE, Tenn. — The case of a Maryville man accused of stabbing and killing his father in December 2023 has been bound over to a grand jury.
David Alexander Mills, who goes by Alex, was charged with criminal homicide after he was accused of killing his father, David Anthony Mills, who was known as Tony. Alex is being held in the Blount County jail on a $1 million bond following the hearing.
The prosecution called several law enforcement officers and a friend of the suspect to the stand.
The friend was emotional and said he found Tony's body after Alex came to his home, wearing a bloody hat and bloody t-shirt. He was emotional when Blount County District Attorney General Ryan Desmond asked him to identify a photo of the crime scene.
A video of Alex's interview with police after being arrested was shown in court. Police said they arrested him at an O'Charley's restaurant in Alcoa. He eventually admitted to police during the interview that he "hit" his father with a knife.
The prosecution argued that Alex was under the influence of an illicit substance at the time of the killing. The defense argued Tony was abusing Alex around the time of the stabbing.
A Blount County grand jury will have the case next and determine what charges are applicable.
Tony was a fifth-grade social studies teacher at Maryville City Schools. He retired after teaching at the school district for 20 years.
"Tony was a much-loved and respected educator in our school system. His years of service to our school district were valuable as he has positively influenced many lives. We are saddened by his passing. Our deepest condolences to his family, his friends, his former students, and his colleagues," the Maryville City Schools district said after his body was found.