Episode 6-MURDER or SELF-DEFENSE? Two Love Triangles, Two Dead Husbands, Who Pays For Their Death?
Episode 6-MURDER or SELF-DEFENSE? Two Love Triangles, Two Dead Husbands, Who Pays For Their Death?
The first case centers on a love triangle in the UK. At the heart of the case, and the reason this case is an episode on Military Murder Podcast is that 53-year old Jeffery Mills is a British Army Veteran. He began a 2-year affair with his best friend’s wife, Louise Jenkins. His best friend was Andrew Jenkins and he and Louise had been married for 7 years. Andrew and Jeffery had been friends for 10 years. In early March 2019, Jeffery and Louise were outed when they were seen checking into their hotel room by one of Jeffery’s wife’s friends. Jeffery and his wife, Jayne Mills, were married for over 34-years. Jayne confronted Louise. Louise was terrified what would happen when her husband found out about the affair. But she pulled the bandaid and told Andrew about the 2-year affair. Andrew did not take it lightly and for the following two weeks, Andrew terrorized the Mills’ family. He even called Jeffery and threatened to kill both Jeffery and his son. Jeffery armed himself with an illegal gun (as guns are banned in the UK).
On Sunday, March 17, 2019, Andrew told Louise he was going to the hardware store, but instead he made his way to Maidstone, where Jeffery lived. Andrew knocked on the door, Jayne answered. Andrew was armed with a knife and kept shouting that he wanted to talk to Jeffery and he wanted to kill him. Jeffery hid in the room as Jayne tried to get Andrew to leave. Jeffery armed himself with a handgun, as his heart kept pounding and his hands got sweaty. All of a sudden, Jayne attempted to close the front door on Andrew, and he stepped inside, all while Jayne was screaming. Jeffery opened the bedroom door, and there in front of him was Andrew. Jeffery pulled the trigger once, hitting Andrew in the chest. Andrew stumbled out the front door and threw the knife, before collapsing to the ground. Andrew was pronounced dead later that same day. Jeffery was arrested and charged with murder and various other weapons offenses.
Listen to Episode 6, to learn what happened at trial and how the jury decided Jeffery’s fate. I was unable to find any pictures of Andrew Jenkins, which is why I did not include any pictures of the victim in this blog post.
British Army Veteran, Jeffery Mills
The second case centers on a U.S. Navy love triangle out of El Cajon, California. At the heart of the case is Anderson Lopes and his estranged wife, Michelle Tsethlikai. Anderson was active duty Navy and Michelle had recently separated from the Navy in February 2018. Anderson and Michelle were estranged, but they shared one 2-year old son. They decided that they would continue to live in the same condo, although they were no longer together. Anderson maintained the master bedroom as his own, while Michelle slept on the couch. At the time of this story, Michelle was seeing a different Navy Sailor, Dylan Poston.
On March 6, 2018, Anderson was scheduled to work the night shift. Michelle invited her boyfriend, Dylan, over to the condo. Around 10pm, Anderson arrived home from work early and he walked into his bedroom to find his estranged wife and her boyfriend sleeping in his bed. He became upset and began to assault Dylan with his fists. Dylan did as Anderson asked, as he went downstairs to get ready to leave. Anderson and Michelle stayed upstairs, arguing. Eventually, all three parties were in the living room and words were exchanged. Anderson left and returned with a metal pipe and began assaulting Dylan. Dylan defended himself with a pocket knife he had on his person. During the fight, Michelle got involved and the fight resulted in one of the parties being killed.
Listen to Episode 6 to find out who dies and whether the person responsible for the death was convicted of murder or not.
Navy Sailor Anderson Lopes
(left) Dylan Poston, (right) Anderson Lopes
Episode Resources-Jeffery Mills Case:
- Julia Roberts & Andy Robinson, Kent Live, “Maidstone ex-soldier cleared of murder after shooting love rival dead.” 13 September 2019, https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/maidstone-ex-soldier-cleared-murder-3314880 (last accessed on 8 Oct 19).
- Middleton, Lucy, Metro, “Ex-soldier shot best friend after having affair with his wife.” 15 September 2019, https://metro.co.uk/2019/09/15/ex-soldier-shot-best-friend-dead-affair-wife-10745195/ (last accessed on 8 Oct 19).
- Jacobs, Luke, Kent Live, “Jeffrey Mills charged with murder of man found shot dead in Maidstone.” 19 March 2019, https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/police-charge-jeffery-mills-murder-2660604 (last accessed on 8 Oct 19).
- Downs Mail, “MURDER TRIAL: Jeffrey Mills ‘had two-year affair’ with dead man’s wife – details.” 3 September 2019, https://www.downsmail.co.uk/news_sport/News/MURDER_TRIAL_Jeffery_Mills_had_two_year_affair_with_dead_mans_wife_-_details/ (last accessed on 8 Oct 19).
- Hooper, Paul, Pressreader, “Husband shot dead after friend’s affair with wife.” 5 September 2019, https://www.pressreader.com/uk/kent-messenger-maidstone/20190905/281732681166693 (last accessed on 8 Oct 19).
- Hooper, Paul, Pressreader, “Murder accused feared for his life fronted by rival.” 12 September 2019, https://www.pressreader.com/uk/kent-messenger-maidstone/20190912/281663961704338 (last accessed on 8 Oct 19). (Accused testimony)
- Kent Live News, “Woman at centre of love triangle gives evidence after husband shot in Cambridge Crescent, Maidstone.” 6 September 2019, https://kentlivenews.com/woman-at-centre-of-love-triangle-gives-evidence-after-husband-shot-in-cambridge-crescent-maidstone/ (last accessed on 8 Oct 19).
- Downs Mail, “Jailed: Jeffrey Mills goes to prison for firearms after being cleared of murder.” 12 September 2019, https://www.downsmail.co.uk/news_sport/News/JAILED_Jeffery_Mills_goes_to_prison_for_firearms_after_being_cleared_of_murder/ (last accessed on 8 Oct 19).
- Downs Mail, “NOT GUILTY: Jeffery Mills cleared of murder and manslaughter – details.” 12 September 2019, https://www.downsmail.co.uk/news_sport/News/NOT_GUILTY_Jeffery_Mills_cleared_of_MURDER_and_MANSLAUGHTER_-_details/ (last accessed on 8 Oct 19).
- Downs Mail, “Shepway Murder: ‘I only met my husband’s killer for sex’ – widow’s claim.” 5 September 2019, https://www.downsmail.co.uk/news_sport/News/SHEPWAY_MURDER_I_only_met_my_husbands_killer_for_sex_-_widows_claim/ (last accessed on 8 Oct 19).
- Downs Mail, “Shepway Murder: ‘Killer and wife lived in terror’ for two weeks before shooting.” 4 September 2019, https://www.downsmail.co.uk/news_sport/News/SHEPWAY_MURDER_Killer_and_wife_lived_in_terror_for_two_weeks_before_shooting/ (last accessed on 8 Oct 19).
- BBC News, “Maidstone man who shot friend dead cleared of murder.” 12 September 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-kent-49678273 (last accessed on 8 Oct 19).
- News ITN, “Andrew Jenkins’ family respond as Jeffery Mills cleared of murder after Maidstone shooting, 12 September 2019, https://newsitn.com/andrew-jenkins-family-respond-as-jeffery-mills-cleared-of-murder-after-maidstone-shooting/ (last accessed 8 Oct 19).
- Simple News, “Ex-soldier shot best friend dead after having affair with his wife.” 15 September 2019, https://simplenews.co.uk/uk/ex-soldier-shot-best-friend-dead-after-having-affair-with-his-wife/ (last accessed on 8 Oct 19).
- BBC News, “Knife Crime: ASDA to Remove Single Kitchen Knives From Sale.” 9 March 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-47507937 (last accessed on 8 Oct 19).
- Cummings, William, USA Today, “After Murder Rate Passes NYC, London Mayor Sadiq Khan Calls for Sharper Knife Control.” 9 April 2018, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/04/09/london-mayor-knife-control/500328002/ (last accessed on 10 Oct 19).
Episode Resources-Dylan Poston Case:
- Simkins, J.D., Navy Times, “San Diego’s sailor’s fatal stabbing was the grib conclusion of a Navy love triangle.” 22 August 2018, https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2018/08/22/san-diego-sailors-fatal-stabbing-was-the-grim-conclusion-of-a-navy-love-triangle/ (last accessed on 8 Oct 19).
- Fox 5 San Diego, “Verdict reached in Navy love-triangle stabbing.” 6 August 2019, https://fox5sandiego.com/2019/08/06/verdict-reached-in-navy-love-triangle-stabbing/ (last accessed on 8 Oct 19).
- Fox 5 San Diego, “Navy love triangle murder suspect appears in court.” 24 July 2019, https://fox5sandiego.com/2019/07/24/navy-love-triangle-murder-suspect-appears-in-court/ (last accessed on 8 Oct 19).
- com, “Sailor acquitted of murdering sailor who caught him in bed with his wife.” 7 August 2019, https://popularmilitary.com/sailor-acquitted-of-murdering-sailor-who-caught-him-in-bed-with-his-wife/ (last accessed on 8 Oct 19).
- NBC San Diego, “Love Triangle at Center of Navy Man’s Stabbing at El Cajon Condo.” 22 August 2018, https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Navy-Sailors-Wife-Says-Husband-Was-Stabbed-By-Man-She-Was-Seeing-in-Their-El-Cajon-Condo-491391181.html (last accessed 8 Oct 19).
- Fox5 San Diego, “Verdict Reached in Navy Love-Triangle Stabbing.” 6 August 2019, https://fox5sandiego.com/2019/08/06/verdict-reached-in-navy-love-triangle-stabbing/ (last accessed 8 Oct 19).
- Repard, Pauline, Military.com, “Navy Love-Triangle Murder Trial Opens in California.” 25 July 2019, https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/07/25/navy-love-triangle-murder-trial-opens-california.html (last accessed on 8 Oct 19).
- NBC San Diego, “By the Numbers: School Shootings Since Columbine.” 19 April 2019, https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/national-international/School-Shootings-Since-Columbine-508503771.html (last accessed on 8 Oct 19).
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