SHOCKING evidence/Eric Miller UPDATE
tinydancer
Shocking Evidence Revealed in Miller-Kontz Hearing
By Ed Crump
(12/10/04 - RALEIGH) - New never-before heard evidence in the murder case of
Eric Miller. A previously confidential statement and suicide note are
revealed. Now the spotlight is brighter than ever on the prime suspect, Ann
Miller-Kontz.
One of Ann Miller-Kontz's attorneys says it's unlikely she will get out of
jail soon, if ever. Few courtroom observers were surprised at the high bond,
but many were shocked to hear prosecutors reveal one piece of evidence. That
evidence was a conversation that allegedly took place between Miller and a
man investigators say was her lover.
Ann Miller-Kontz cried when a medical examiner talked on tape about the
autopsy of her first husband, Eric Miller. But that video wasn't nearly as
revealing as what came next. An effort by the prosecution to introduce
evidence that brought Miller-Kontz's attorney to his feet.
It's widely known investigators believe Ann Miller-Kontz was having an
affair with a co-worker before her first husband's death. Derril Willard
worked with Ann Miller at a pharmaceutical lab where they both had access to
arsenic. Willard killed himself the day after investigators searched his
north Raleigh home.
Today, for the first time, the contents of his suicide note were revealed -
read aloud by prosecutor Rebecca Holt. "I have been accused of an action for
which I am not responsible. I have taken no one's life - save my own." But
even more startling is what Holt read next. Before shooting himself, Willard
met with attorney, Rick Gammon.
Earlier this year Gammon was forced by the State Supreme Court to reveal
what Willard told him including a meeting between Willard and Ann Miller in
which she allegedly related a story about being alone in her husband Eric's
hospital room. "She took a syringe and needle from her purse and injected
the contents of the syringe into Mr. Miller's I-V. Upon being questioned as
to the contents of the syringe, Mr. Willard either state the substance was
from work or that Mrs. Miller had told him that it was from work. He then
stated that he asked Mrs. Miller why she had done this, and she replied, "I
don't know.""
Miller-Kontz's lawyers say they don't believe that statement will ever be
allowed in the trial as evidence.
District Attorney Colon Willoughby said in November that he would not seek
the death penalty against Kontz.
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/news/121004_APlocal_annmiller.html
tinydancer
By Vanessa Welch
(12/10/04 - RALEIGH) - Eric Miller's mother and father were in the courtroom
when the stunning piece of evidence was read. Verus and Doris Miller say
while the evidence is shocking, it still doesn't change their view on Ann
Miller-Kontz's ultimate fate if convicted of killing their son.
It was a tough day for Eric Miller's parents, sitting close together in a
crowded courtroom, listening to shocking new evidence in their son's murder.
"We were thinking of all that our son went through all of the suffering that
he did the painful death he had we were also thinking of our great loss."
Painful as it was to relive their son's death, Friday's revelations did
bring some comfort. "The truth is starting to come out now I believe the
case is starting to come out, and we will get justice for Eric."
Surprisingly, the justice they're looking for still doesn't include the
ultimate punishment for their former daughter-in-law. "We do not believe in
the death penalty we do believe in life in prison and that is what we hope
will be the result of this."
Outside the courtroom, Ann Miller-Kontz's family fought back tears at the
prospect of a $3 million dollar bond. "Will you be able to post the bond?"
They didn't respond, but Kontz's attorney sees it as a small victory. "We
believed this was going to be a death penalty trial and we have gone from
that to this where we have a bond."
A bond Cheshire admits the family won't be able to raise. Ann Miller-Kontz
will remain behind bars until her next court date.
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/news/121004_NW_millerparents.html
tinydancer
http://www.wral.com/slideshow/news/3988645/detail.html?qs=1;s=1;dm=ss;p=news;w=320
Link to suicide note left by Willard:
http://www.wral.com/slideshow/news/3988645/detail.html?qs=;s=2;p=news;dm=ss;w=320
Link to the video reading of statements in court at Ann Miller's bond
hearing and another story about the case. Link to the video is about
halfway down the story.
http://www.wral.com/news/3986265/detail.html