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Nashville bar owner convicted of killing country-western singer

By Danielle Haynes

NASHVILLE, March 6 (UPI) -- A Nashville bar owner who shot and killed country-western singer-songwriter Jerald "Wayne" Mills in 2013 was found guilty of second-degree murder Friday.

Chris Ferrell, 46, owner of Pit and Barrel bar, had told police he shot Mills in self-defense because the singer had threatened him.

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Mills, 44, died Nov. 23, 2013, after he was shot in the back of the head.

Ferrell faces 15 to 25 years in prison for the conviction. He's scheduled to be sentenced April 10.

His lawyer, David Raybin, promised to appeal the verdict.

"I blame the verdict on the failure of the government and the police to fully investigate this case at the time," he said.

Raybin said police overlooked one of three bullets left at the scene of the shooting and it was later found by the defense team. He also said investigators damaged Mills' cell phone when they put magnetic powder on it.

"I've been an attorney for 40 years and I have appealed many homicide cases," Raybin said. "We feel very comfortable that this man will get a new trial and a new day in court."

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Mills was the singer for the Wayne Mills Band, which often played the college circuit in the area. Country music stars Jamey Johnson, Blake Shelton and Taylor Hicks were the opening acts for the Wayne Mills Band early in their careers.

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