The Georgia Observer
Serving the citizens of Jefferson, Georgia for over 100 Years
LISA MILLER FOUND NOT GUILTY OF MURDER
Thursday, July 18, 1985 – Jefferson, Georgia. In a stunning turn of events yesterday, Lisa Miller was found not guilty of murdering her father, Charles Miller. The courthouse was shocked when Ms. Miller’s attorney, Randall Duncan, called a surprise witness to the stand. Ms. Hope Winslow, a resident of Culver City, California, confessed that she was in Bascom’s Bakery with her biological mother, Lisa Miller, the night Charles Miller burst into the bakery kitchen. Unaware of his connection to her at the time, Ms. Winslow told the court how this intruder displayed a handgun and announced his intention to kill them both.
Ms. Winslow testified that Lisa Miller grabbed a copper pot and threw it at the intruder, causing him to drop his gun. As he bent down to pick it up, Ms. Winslow said she made a run for the back door, but the intruder caught up with her just as she exited into the back alley. She said he slammed her against the alley wall, pinning her against the building with one hand on her throat and the other hand pressing his gun into her chest.
She proudly told the jury how her mother bravely wedged herself between her and her attacker. Using her own body, Ms. Miller forced the intruder to release his grip on Ms. Winslow’s throat as Ms. Miller and the intruder fought to gain control of the gun. Once free of him, Ms. Winslow said she ran back into the bakery and grabbed the first object she could find, a wooden rolling pin, and returned to the alley.
Her testimony was emotional as she described how her mother’s face was turning blue as she struggled to get the gun away from the intruder. He had his forearm wedged against her mother’s throat and Ms. Winslow knew if her mother lost consciousness he would control the gun and they both would be killed. Fearing for her life, Ms. Winslow confessed it was she who took the rolling pin and struck the fatal blow to the back of Charles Miller’s head just as the gun went off.
Once the jury came back with a not guilty verdict, it was expected that Judge Kirkley would order Hope Winslow taken into custody at the close of court yesterday, since, by her own testimony, Ms. Winslow left the scene of a murder—self-defense or not. As of today’s deadline, no warrant has been issued.
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The Georgia Observer
Serving the citizens of Jefferson, Georgia for over 100 Years
LISA MILLER REFUSES ALL INTERVIEWS
Saturday, July 20, 1985 – Jefferson, Georgia. Although thankful for her acquittal, Lisa Miller refused to comment on any possible legal problems that her daughter might be facing as a result of her leaving the scene of the crime. Finding Ms. Miller at the home of Gladys Carter, her longtime friend and the person she credits for getting her off drugs eleven years ago, she was asked why she covered up for her daughter since it was obviously self-defense. Ms. Miller’s only response was, “I made a huge mistake. My daughter came forward on her own once she found out about the trial. I just pray that everyone involved will keep the promises that have been made to her.”
Several attempts have been made to find out what these promises are and who authorized them. One unnamed source within the courthouse quietly warned, “Heads will roll, and that right soon.”
Judge Kirkley also refused an interview, stating, “You need to allow the court time to confirm some questionable legal issues. This community has endured enough witch-hunts over the past five months.”
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The Georgia Observer
Serving the citizens of Jefferson, Georgia for over 100 Years
PROSECUTOR GORDON TO BE CALLED
BEFORE ETHICS BOARD
Monday, July 22, 1985 – Jefferson, Georgia. This morning, Judge Kirkley officially filed a “Cause of Action” with the State Board of Review against Prosecutor Jeffery Gordon. Details of this action have not yet been made public. Within the hour District Attorney Samuel Crane placed Gordon on administrative leave in order to allow him time to answer these charges. A hearing has been scheduled for two weeks from today.
Gordon has been campaigning for the soon to be vacant position of District Attorney for Jefferson, Georgia. Some have speculated this is why Prosecutor Gordon pushed so hard to bring Lisa Miller to trial so quickly.
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The Georgia Observer
Serving the citizens of Jefferson, Georgia for over 100 Years
GORDON WITHDRAWS FROM D.A. RACE
Thursday, July 25, 1985 – Jefferson, Georgia. Soon after learning that Judge Kirkley had filed a complaint with the State Ethics Board against Prosecutor Gordon, four of Gordon’s most ardent supporters withdrew their financial support. These supporters swiftly moved to distance themselves from Gordon. Although no one is talking about the details, one unnamed source told this reporter that Gordon knew about Hope Winslow several weeks before she came forward.
Hope Winslow has refused all calls, referring everyone to her attorney, Randall Duncan, of Jefferson, Georgia. Mr. Duncan’s only public statement is, “I will reserve all comments until these charges have been adjudicated before the State Board of Ethical Review.”
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The Georgia Observer
Serving the citizens of Jefferson, Georgia for over 100 Years
ETHICS REVIEW BOARD MEETS
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
Tuesday, August 6, 1985 – Atlanta, Georgia. Prosecutor Gordon’s attorneys argued yesterday that all charges against their client remain confidential until the State Board has determined there is sufficient evidence to officially charge their client, Jeffery Gordon. The Board granted this request but warned that all depositions must be completed within one month. No names were divulged, nor were the details of these charges.
After returning to Jefferson yesterday afternoon, this reporter questioned several citizens about the Board’s actions today. The consensus agreed with Michael Buchannan, long-time resident of Jefferson, “I find it interesting that Mr. Gordon’s right to privacy is honored, but when he was going after Lisa Miller there were dozens of stories in the newspaper about her criminal past. By the time her trial began everyone in town was convinced of her guilt. I guess you have to be one of them to get a fair shake at justice in this town.”
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The Georgia Observer
Serving the citizens of Jefferson, Georgia for over 100 Years
ONE MONTH AFTER NOT GUILTY VERDICT
Monday, August 19, 1985 – Jefferson, Georgia. While the citizens of Jefferson wait for news of criminal charges against Prosecutor Gordon, Lisa Miller decides it is time to get back among the living. Having taken an additional month to recuperate from the strain of her murder trial, Bascom’s Bakery, where Lisa Miller has been gainfully employed for the past eleven years, will again benefit from Ms. Miller’s excellent pastry skills.
Although still refusing any interviews, we wish Ms. Miller all the best and publicly apologize for having allowed certain parties to use this local paper for their own personal ambition. Although this newspaper never slandered Ms. Miller, we recognize the personal burden we placed upon her by dredging up her scandalous past without acknowledging her eleven years of recovery.
One month of Letters to the Editor showed this newspaper that our coverage of the Miller trial has caused our readers to feel misled. This newspaper promises our readership audience to be more careful and balanced in covering future stories. Integrity and trust must be the hallmark of a free and open press.