Bio

Kevin Artice Miles was born on May 28, 1968, in the United States. By December 1992, Miles was 24 years old. He became involved with two 16-year-old accomplices, Levi Jackson and Ray Hernandez. According to court records, the three planned to steal a car and had discussed killing someone before the crime happened.

The plan led to the kidnapping and murder of 40-year-old Patricia Baeuerlen in Tucson, Arizona. Miles was not the person who fired the fatal shot. Court records state that Levi Jackson shot the victim. However, Miles still played a major role in the crime. He helped take control of the car, held the gun on the victim during part of the drive, and later used her bank card and credit card.

Miles was later sentenced to death even though he did not personally shoot the victim. His case became legally important because courts had to review whether he could receive the death penalty for felony murder. His murder conviction stayed in place, but his death sentence was later reduced to life imprisonment.

Murder Story

On December 7, 1992, Kevin Artice Miles, Levi Jackson, and Ray Hernandez carried out a carjacking in Tucson, Arizona. Jackson and Hernandez were both 16 years old. Court records state that the three had planned to steal a car and had talked about killing someone before the crime happened.

That afternoon, 40-year-old Patricia Baeuerlen stopped her car near 24th Street and Columbus Avenue. Jackson walked up to her car and asked for a light for a cigarette. When she reached for a lighter, he pulled out a gun and forced her to move over. Miles, Jackson, and Hernandez then got into her car.

The three took control of the vehicle and drove Patricia to a desert area southeast of Tucson. During part of the drive, Miles held the gun on her. Court records state that Patricia was afraid and pleaded for her life.

When they reached the desert, Jackson shot Patricia once in the chest. The bullet injured her heart and left lung, causing her death. Although Miles did not fire the shot, he was still held responsible because he helped with the carjacking, kidnapping, and robbery that led to the murder.

After the murder, Miles took Patricia’s car and drove to Phoenix the next day. He also used her bank card and credit card. Police arrested him in Chandler, Arizona, during the early hours of December 9, 1992, after a high-speed chase. When he was arrested, police found Patricia’s cards, jewelry, and other belongings with him.

Miles went to trial in Pima County Superior Court in 1993. His trial began on April 21, 1993. On April 30, 1993, the jury found him guilty of first-degree murder, dangerous kidnapping, and dangerous armed robbery. His murder conviction was based on felony murder, meaning the killing happened during other serious crimes.

On July 6, 1993, Miles was sentenced to death for the murder. He also received prison sentences for kidnapping and armed robbery. The Arizona Supreme Court upheld his convictions and sentences in 1996.

Miles continued to appeal his death sentence. In 2013, a federal appeals court rejected one of his challenges. In 2014, he began another post-conviction case in Arizona. He presented new evidence about mental and developmental issues.

After reviewing the new evidence, the court reduced his death sentence to life imprisonment. His murder conviction remained in place. Kevin Artice Miles is still convicted of murdering, kidnapping, and robbing Patricia Baeuerlen. His current status should be listed as Imprisoned, not awaiting execution, because he is no longer under a death sentence.