‘Killer slashed girlfriend to death with lawnmower blade in front yard’

A man charged with slashing his girlfriend to death with a lawnmower blade is now set to stand trial.

Steven Wayne Asher, 31, pleaded not guilty this week the grisly murder of his girlfriend, Amanda Millar, in August 2018 in the front yard of a home in Pocola, Oklahoma.

A witness told police that Asher hit Millar repeatedly with the blade, then cut her neck in front of the Fuller Avenue home.

The witness said Asher punched his girlfriend numerous times before killing her before fleeing. Asher also reportedly punched the witness in the face as he tried to stop him.

A neighbor told authorities that she also tried to deescalate the situation and stop Asher as he attacked Millar, but he struck her in the left shoulder and neck, although he did not cut her.

Police later arrested Asher following a brief foot chase after he was spotted by Oklahoma Highway Patrol officers.

He was charged with first-degree murder, felony assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and misdemeanor assault and battery.

Asher’s trial is now set for the week of November 4, according to the District 16 Circuit Clerk’s Office.

This was not Asher’s first alleged violent incident. He was charged with assault in November 2012 for punching Millar after an argument. Her mother told police she found her daughter on the ground with blood all over her face, according to the Times Record.

He was also charged with hitting Millar in October 2016, but the charges were dropped because authorities believed she was the aggressor.

Both Asher and Millar’s Facebook pages appear to suggest they had a child together.