Dawson Miller, left, and Annaka Trudell (Photos courtesy Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office)
FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Dawson Miller was convicted Tuesday for his role in a murder during an argument about a drug deal.
Miller, 23, pleaded no contest to felony murder for the Feb. 13, 2024, death of Ashley Calo. Four other counts were dismissed. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 15, court records show.
Annaka Trudell, 21, pleaded no contest to first-degree reckless homicide and armed robbery for stabbing Calo. Sentencing has not been scheduled, but could be at an Oct. 17 status conference.
Prosecutors said Calo was killed while Trudell was trying to buy 57 Percocet pills for $250-$500. Calo, 33, was found dead inside a car after crashing near W. Follett and N. Main streets. Calo’s 3-year-old child was in the vehicle at the time. The child was not physically harmed.
According to the criminal complaint, police determined Trudell and Miller had made arrangements to buy drugs from Calo, but planned to rob her instead.
“Miller told Trudell to take a knife to the deal for her protection, so she did. Then, when Trudell returned to Miller shortly after stabbing (Calo), Miller assisted Trudell in fleeing from Fond du Lac and avoiding detection. The planning of the theft, the stabbing, and most of the post-stabbing conduct of fleeing and avoiding detection occurred on February 13 and 14, 2024,” the complaint states.
A witness said Calo had blue fentanyl pills to sell.
“Trudell said the deal was to be for the purchase of 57 Percocet pills “percs” for $250, but she planned on taking the pills without paying. Trudell said though that the girl tried to rip her and Miller off,” the complaint states. “When Det. Hahn told Trudell that (Calo) is dead, Trudell responded by sobbing and saying, “I didn’t mean to do that” or, “I didn’t mean to kill her.” She further said, “I didn’t want that to happen.”
The witness watched the argument in a fast-food parking lot, and saw Trudell attack Calo. Calo then drove off, “but it seemed to him like she didn’t even know she was stabbed,” the complaint states.
In one of his interviews with police, Miller minimized his role in the deal.
“Miller says he didn’t think Trudell was going to rob Victim. Miller than admits that Trudell told him she was going to get the pills, that he didn’t it was a good idea because it seemed like a setup. He didn’t know Trudell was going to kill anyone. Miller says he thought Trudell had the money and was just going to buy the pills. Miller said the Trudell was high and he thinks it is all a mistake. Miller denied telling Trudell to take a knife. Miller admitted that he knew Trudell was meeting up with Victim and Witness 1 for a drug deal, to buy drugs. Miller admits that he told Trudell to bring something for her protection, but he didn’t think he said anything about knives. He never intended for Trudell to rob or kill Victim,” the complaint states.
According to the autopsy, Calo was stabbed at least twice, including one which went through the lung and heart.
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