Winona Man Sentenced For Bludgeoning Death of Roommate
Winona, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Winona man was given consecutive prison sentences today for a deadly hammer attack and arson fire last year.
33-year-old Steven Miller was sentenced to a total of just over 22 years in prison for killing 55-year-old David Seaman and then setting fire to the victim's home in Winona on March 22, 2019. Miller earlier pleaded guilty to a second-degree murder charge and a first-degree arson charge in the case.
Miller, who was living with the victim, told investigators he was "pretty sure" he attacked Seaman with a hammer while he was high on methamphetamine and mushrooms. Court documents say Miller claimed the drugs had put him in a "rage-induced drug coma."
An autopsy found the victim had multiple skull fractures, apparently from being struck by a hammer. His body was discovered after Winona firefighters extinguished a fire in his home. Investigators ruled the cause of the fire was arson and indicated a can of camp stove fuel found in the home was used as an accelerant. The charges against him stated Miller had purchased an identical can of the fuel just hours before the fire was reported.