GLASGOW – A Nashville man was sentenced Friday to 40 years in prison for his role in the 2021 murder and robbery of Melissa Miller.

Aaron Rodriguez, 27, was sentenced in Barren Circuit Court, having pleaded guilty to the charges of murder and first-degree robbery in February.

Miller, 54, was shot and killed May 23, 2021, in the 100 block of Ann Avenue.

According to court records, Rodriguez and Miller came into contact in Barren County after corresponding online about her grandson’s laptop computer, which was for sale on Facebook Marketplace.

Miller’s grandson witnessed the shooting and provided police with information that helped identify the suspect.

Rodriguez accepted a plea agreement that enabled him to avoid a trial, at which Barren County Commonwealth’s Attorney John Gardner would have sought the death penalty.

Several of Miller’s surviving relatives were in the courtroom for the sentencing.

Howard Miller, Melissa Miller’s brother, read from victim impact statements submitted by a number of relatives describing how Melissa Miller’s death affected them.

“Lisa’s death will have a lifetime impact on our family,” Howard Miller said. “Justice has been served, but the scars will last forever.”

Howard Miller also addressed Rodriguez from the witness stand, saying that he hopes Rodriguez uses his time in prison to “make the necessary changes in your life.”

“You have a long road ahead of you, you can make these changes and become a better person,” Howard Miller said. “I do not desire you to die, but you should consider there’s a God in heaven who’s your judge and that you get to know him.”

Rodriguez was called by his court-appointed defense team of attorneys Zanda Myers and Wesley Boyarski to make some brief remarks, during which he apologized for his actions and said he was on drugs at the time of the shooting.

“There’s no excuse for what I’ve done,” Rodriguez said. “I understand your hate and hurt toward me. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me, and if not, I understand.”

Barren Circuit Judge John Alexander offered condolences to Miller’s family and acknowledged the anguish they have felt in the aftermath of Miller’s death.

Alexander also addressed Rodriguez.

“Your life could have gone in a different direction and I hate that it did not because I think there was a lot of potential for you,” Alexander said.

Along with the information Miller’s grandson provided the GPD, detectives examined Miller’s phone and learned a possible address for the suspect in Nashville.

GPD officers contacted police in Nashville to check the address for a vehicle matching the description of the vehicle from which the fatal gunshot was fired, and Tennessee authorities informed GPD of an arrest warrant for Rodriguez there for a theft that occurred after arranging a sale on Facebook under a false name, court records show.

Rodriguez was arrested in Tennessee in possession of a firearm matching the caliber of weapon used in Miller’s shooting, according to an arrest warrant.