NEWS RELEASE Murder Parolee Found Guilty of Felony Stealing A Texas County jury of seven men and five women took just twenty minutes to find Ricky Miller guilty of Felony Stealing. Miller, 44, is on parole for a murder conviction in Pettis County. Phelps County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Brad Neckermann tried the case for the State in Texas County, where the case had been moved on a change of venue. At trial Neckermann presented evidence that showed between May and July of 2011 Miller took heavy equipment, including forklifts and bailers, from a warehouse owned by Sharon Sooter of Rolla. Sooter, widow of the late Rolla developer Bob Sooter, testified that she remembered someone calling to ask permission to clean up the warehouse but was adamant she had never given Miller, or anyone else, permission to remove items. Sooter’s daughter, Dana, testified that when confronted Miller tried to convince her and her mother not to file charges and said he would pay them back. While on the stand she said Miller never returned any of the items or paid any money. Phelps County Deputy Sgt. Jamie Arnold testified Miller admitted he had taken the items and sold them for an amount in excess of $500.00 but it is believed he received far less than the true value of the equipment. While the defense presented three witnesses, Miller himself did not testify. Miller’s defense was that he had asked for permission to clean out the warehouse, including the equipment, and that some of the equipment taken was not operational and therefore not worth much. In closing argument Neckermann argued Miller would not take no for an answer, “When he was unsuccessful trying to get Sooter’s permission, he decided to take matters into his own hands and take them anyway.” In response to the rapid verdict of guilty Neckermann said, “The Sooters did a fantastic job testifying and I believe the jury saw through the defendant’s story and returned the proper verdict.” The verdict followed a two-day trial presided over by Circuit Judge William Hickle. Sentencing has been set for March 4, 2014, in Texas County. Because the Court found Miller to be a prior and persistent offender, the range of punishment is up to 15 years in prison and is at the discretion of Judge Hickle. Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney John Beger said, “I am especially pleased with the guilty verdict in this case and hopeful that the Board of Probation and Parole will revoke his parole in addition to any sentence the Court should impose.”
Posted on: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 17:10:50 +0000
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