By Alexis Hill, Intern
Nearly nine years after the death of David Steele, the final defendant connected to the case has been sentenced, bringing a lengthy and complex murder prosecution to a close.
Coffee County District Attorney General Craig Northcott announced that 52-year-old Miguel Antwain Sanders pleaded guilty Wednesday, July 15, to Second Degree Murder, Especially Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Kidnapping, Coercion of a Witness and Tampering with Evidence. Sanders was sentenced to 28 years in prison to be served at 100 percent, making him ineligible for parole or any sentence reduction.
According to Northcott, Sanders is the seventh and final defendant convicted in connection with Steele’s 2017 murder. Authorities said Steele was assaulted and shot in the leg at a home in Tullahoma before being taken to a wooded area in Franklin County, where he was killed instead of being taken for medical treatment.
Here is the full press release from Coffee County District Attorney General Craig Northcott:
On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, Miguel Antwain Sanders, 52 years of age, was convicted for the murder of David Steele. Sanders pled guilty to Second Degree Murder, Especially Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Kidnapping, Coercion of a Witness and Tampering with Evidence. Sanders was sentenced to 28 years at 100% service rate, which means he is not eligible for parole or any reduction of his sentence.
Sanders was the last of seven defendants convicted for their role in the murder and other crimes surrounding the murder. All defendants were sentenced to meaningful prison terms. The events leading to the murder of David Steele began at a home in Tullahoma on October 2, 2017, when David Steele was assaulted and then shot in the lower leg. This gunshot wound was not fatal. However, instead of calling for an ambulance or taking Steele to the hospital, Sanders and two other people took him to a wooded location in Franklin County where they hanged Steele to death.
The Steele family demonstrated amazing resolve, patience, grace and mercy through this nearly decade long process. Their Christian faith was consistently demonstrated throughout the difficult ordeal that included multiple court hearings, a multi-day trial and many heart wrenching discussions and decisions. Everyone in this office was humbled to be trusted by them with the important task of bringing each defendant to justice. Thank you so much for your trust and kindness.
The State of Tennessee was represented by District Attorney Craig Northcott and Assistant District Attorney Michael Hibdon. Also, Victim Assistance Coordinator Smita Patel played an instrumental role in this process.
Investigator Tyler Hatfield (now Sheriff of Moore County) with the Tullahoma Police Department and Todd Hindman (now retired) with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office were the lead investigators in this matter. They worked tirelessly to follow countless leads in this complex investigation. Later in the investigation, Investigators James Sherrill and Jason Williams with the District Attorney’s Office contributed greatly to the investigation in locating witnesses and helping in many other ways to prepare this matter for trial. Further, the firearm, fingerprint, DNA and cell phone data analysis done by technicians with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation were vital in this prosecution.
Thank you to all who helped to find justice for David Steele who was a loved father, son and friend and was taken violently and senselessly from his loved ones. Please pray for continued healing for the Steele family.
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