Josiah Miller arraigned in Del Norte court w/UPDATE

☛TS Miller arraigned in Del Norte court
Arcata resident Josiah Miller was arraigned in Del Norte County Tuesday afternoon on charges related to the murder of Michelle Ashlee Dickson, a 23-year-old Crescent City woman who was stabbed to death in July.

According to his attorney, William Cater, Miller pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and arson and waived his right to a speedy trial.

Miller has pleaded not guilty since his arrest on July 24, the day after Dickson's body was discovered under the Thomas Creek Bridge near Brookings, Ore. Investigators with the Del Norte County Sheriff's Office have accused Miller of stabbing Dickson and dropping her body off the 345-foot-tall bridge.

◼ Miller pleads not guilty in Dickson killing 06/13/2009
Arcata resident Josiah Miller pleaded not guilty on Friday to charges he murdered a 23-year-old Crescent City woman and threw her body over an Oregon bridge last year.

Miller, 28, entered the plea in Del Norte County Superior Court, and remains in custody. He allegedly stabbed Michelle Ashlee Dickson to death last July in California, then dumped her body off a bridge just outside Brookings, Ore.

Del Norte County District Attorney Michael Riese said that no plea deal has been offered to Miller, as his preliminary trial was held just Tuesday.

”It's probably way premature to be talking about a plea deal,” Riese said.

Miller's attorney, William Cater, said he would not comment on the pending case.

◼ Josiah Miller pleads guilty in 23-year-old Michelle Dickson's death
An Arcata man pleaded guilty Monday to killing a 23-year-old Crescent City woman and dumping her body off an Oregon bridge two years ago.

Josiah M. Miller pleaded guilty to stabbing Michelle Ashlee Dickson, 23, on July 15, 2008, near Crescent City.

According to Del Norte County District Attorney Michael Riese, Miller accepted a plea deal for voluntary manslaughter, which comes with a sentence of up to 11 years in prison.

Riese said the charge will also require Miller to serve at least 85 percent of the time sentenced. Miller was facing a murder charge, with a special allegation that he used a deadly weapon in committing the act, and felony arson.

In a case that was plagued with jurisdictional questions, a venue change due to media attention and a delayed trial, Miller's acceptance of the plea deal is good news for the prosecution, according to Riese.

”We have no witness, no murder weapon, we question if he had an opportunity to do it,” he said, adding that they would have risked losing the trial without the plea.

”It was something the family had a lot of input on, and it does give them closure,” Riese said.

Dickson's mother Sandy Davis said she was not prepared to comment on the matter, and was “spending time with my family, savoring this.”

Prosecutors allege that Miller drove from Arcata to meet Dickson on July 15, 2008, at a spot on Sand Mine Road, just south of Crescent City, to purchase $850 worth of marijuana from her.

Miller was accused of stabbing Dickson to death and setting her car on fire before driving into Oregon to dump her body.

***

Never mind they had the blood in his truck, I guess. Too bad.

Josiah Miller returned to California

☛TS story here

Murder suspect Josiah Miller to return to California

KIEM had this early last week... took a while to make it to the local news, but here it is:
☛TS Murder suspect Josiah Miller to return to California
A spokesperson for the Del Norte County Sheriff's Department confirmed Saturday that Arcata resident Josiah Miller would be transferred from the Curry County, Ore., jail to the Del Norte County jail.
Miller was being held in the Curry County jail on charges of murder and abuse of a corpse in the July death of Crescent City resident Michelle Dickson.
According to the Curry County online jail count Saturday, Miller remained in Oregon's custody.
Miller is accused of killing of Dickson in July.

KIEM's report stated that the autopsy showed that she died quickly, in California, and that the macabre abuse of corpse charged appeared to have been dropped at this time.

Josiah Miller arraigned on murder charges

☛ TS Josiah Miller arraigned on murder charges
Josiah Miller, a 27-year-old Arcata man, was arraigned today on the charges of murder and abuse of a corpse in the state circuit court for Curry County, Ore.. His bail was set at $1,000,000 by Judge Cynthia Beaman
Previous coverage

☛ ER Murder charges filed against Miller

☛ TS Miller arraigned in Oregon for murder, corpse abuse
☛ ER Murder charges filed in slaying of Crescent City woman

Crescent City Girl Body Found, Miller arrested w/UPDATES

☛ Google SEARCH
What happened to Michelle?
◼ Miller pleads not guilty in Dickson killing 06/13/2009
◼ Arraignment for Dickson's alleged killer today 06/12/2009
◼ Miller hearing continued to June 03/13/2009
◼ Miller arraigned in Del Norte court 01/28/2009
◼ Josiah Miller returned to California 01/10/2009
◼ Miller faces Jan. 21 deadline for extradition 12/30/2008
◼ Murder suspect Josiah Miller to return to California 12/28/2008
◼ Hearing for Josiah Miller continued 11/07/2008
◼ Oregon Grand Jury accepts Miller indictment 09/19/2008
◼ Miller arraigned in Oregon for murder, corpse abuse 09/16/2008
◼ Miller to be moved by Monday 09/12/2008
◼ Murder suspect accepts extradition to Oregon 09/06/2008
◼ Request for extradition received by governor's staff 09/03/2008
◼ Request for Miller extradition to be sent to Schwarzenegger 08/22/2008
◼ Calls, towers can help pinpoint Dickson's last moves 08/18/2008
◼ Forensic scientists say Dickson case is priority 08/10/2008
☛ The Triplicate Bail set; process to move Miller begins 8/8/08
☛ TS Miller identified as Curry County corpse abuse suspect 8/8/08
☛ ER Miller identified as Curry County corpse abuse suspect
☛ TS Police: Dickson died of stab wounds 8/6/2008
☛ ER Crescent City woman was fatally stabbed 8/6/08
☛ Press Democrat Murder suspect fights extradition 8/3/08
☛ The Triplicate ‘More time to get more evidence' 8/2/08
☛ ER Miller’s attorney to fight extradition 8/2/08
☛ TS Murder suspect refuses extradition to Oregon8/2/08

Josiah Miller told a Del Norte County judge Friday that he will not be extradited willingly to Oregon to face charges filed in Curry County for abuse of a corpse -- a felony stemming from his suspected involvement in the death of 23-year-old Crescent City woman Michelle Ashlee Dickson.
After consulting with his counsel, attorney William Cater, Miller opted to fight extradition. According to information from the Del Norte District Attorney's Office, Miller is now scheduled to take part in an identity hearing on Aug. 7, to verify that he is indeed the suspect Curry County attorneys intend to prosecute.

☛ SignOnSanDiego Murder suspect refuses to be extradited to Oregon 8/2/08 AP
☛ Contra Costa Times Murder suspect refuses to be extradited to Oregon 8/2/08 AP
☛ SFGate Murder suspect refuses to be extradited to Oregon 8/2/08 AP
☛ kolo-tv Murder Suspect Refuses To Be Extradited To Oregon 8/2/08 AP
☛ Oregon Public Broadcasting Murder suspect refuses to be extradited to Oregon 8/2/08 AP
☛ ER Roommate said Miller acted ‘pretty shady’ 8/1/08
☛ TS Miller faces arraignment for corpse abuse today 8/1/08
☛ TS Miller arraignment moved to Friday 7/31/08
☛ ER Murder extradition hearing continued 7/30/08
☛ TS No plea for Josiah Miller at Tuesday arraignment 7/30/08
☛ TS Dickson case: Victim's, suspect's families wait for answers7/30/08
☛ ER Hearing set today in murder case 7/30/08
☛ TS The monster among us 7/29/08
☛ TS Oregon charges Miller with abuse of corpse 7/29/08
☛ ER Arcata murder suspect may sit in Oregon jail 7/29/08
☛ ER Crescent City murder victim’s cause of death being withheld from public 7/28/08
☛ TS Dickson autopsy results being withheld 7/28/08
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☛ TS Dickson autopsy key to many questions 7/26/08
☛ ER Questions abound in Crescent City woman’s death 7/26/08
☛ TS A tragic end 7/25/08 A vigil for Michelle
☛ Whereisit? Cachers Make Gruesome Discovery 7/25/08
☛ ER Arcata man arrested after police recover missing woman's body 7/25/08
(emailed photo)
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☛ TS Updated: Arcata suspect arrested in connection with Dickson killing 7/24/08

Josiah Miller, the 27-year-old Arcata man listed as the only suspect in the recent killing of Michelle Ashlee Dickson, was arrested Thursday by the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department.
"Just around noon, a detective with the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department and a U.S. Marshall detained Mr. Miller at his residence in Arcata at the request of the lead invesigator in the Del Norte Sheriff's Office," said Brenda Godsey, spokeswoman for the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department.

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☛ ER Arcata man arrested in connection to Crescent City woman slaying 7/24/08
☛ KPTV - Portland
☛ On The Record Greta Van Susteren interviewed Del Norte Sheriff's Cmdr. Bill Steven
☛ Examiner.com Hikers find body of missing Crecent City woman 7/24/08
☛ SF Chronicle Hikers find body of missing Crecent City woman
☛ Fort Mill Times Hikers find body of missing Crecent City woman 7/24/08
☛ TS Sheriff: 'We've located the body'

The Del Norte County Sheriff's Department said today a body found underneath an Oregon bridge has been positively identified as missing Crescent City woman Michelle Ashlee Dickson.

”We've located the body,” said Del Norte Sheriff's Cmdr. Bill Steven.

A pair of hikers found the body Wednesday. It was unclear whether the body was dumped off the Thomas Creek Bridge, the tallest in Oregon, or placed underneath it. Her body is still being removed this morning, Steven said.

The Oregon State Police are handling the investigation.

☛ Triplicate Mom: ‘I've prepared myself for the worst' 7/24/08
☛ TS Officials find trace blood evidence in suspect's truck 7/24/08

No marijuana was discovered because Miller never brought it home, Steven said. Miller told authorities as he was returning home, he became nervous about having marijuana in his vehicle, and he threw it into the Klamath River, Steven said.

”That's also suspicious, in that why would you take the trouble to arrange a purchase of the marijuana and drive there just to throw it away?” Steven said.

☛ ER Arcata man now considered suspect in Crescent City woman’s disappearance 7/24/08
☛ Triplicate Blood found in man's truck
☛ Drug Policy Central MOTHER PLEADS FOR HELP IN FINDING MISSING DAUGHTER
☛ Coastal Curry Pilot MOTHER PLEADS FOR HELP IN FINDING MISSING DAUGHTER

According to a search warrant executed at Miller's residence last week, detectives found some upholstery had been cut out of his truck and that parts of the vehicle had recently been cleaned.

"What we have is the trace evidence that's left behind that's left in the foam," Morris said. "At this point we're disproving (Miller's) story little, by little, by little."

Morris said Miller has told the truth about some of the events that occurred the night Dickson went missing, but in other cases "his timeline is off."

Miller is the last person known to have seen Dickson on the night she went missing. He told authorities he met Dickson at the Crescent Beach picnic area around 10:30 p.m. July 15 to buy about three ounces of marijuana, and then drove back to Arcata after the alleged transaction.

"He said he threw the weed in the river," Morris said, because he was nervous about having it in his truck. "There are two people that say they saw him in Crescent City that night after 10:30. That's what we want to nail down."

Interviews with Miller have not produced the desired results, Morris said.

☛ ER Arcata man, 27, now considered suspect in Crescent City woman’s disappearance

An Arcata man is now considered a suspect in the disappearance of Michelle Ashlee Dickson of Crescent City, after trace evidence of blood was found inside his truck.

It’s unknown if the blood belongs to Dickson, as the California Department of Justice lab in Eureka is still processing the evidence, but 27-year-old Josiah M. Miller “is our suspect,” Del Norte County Sheriff’s Commander Bill Steven said.

“If you’ve got a pickup you’re known to take good care of, and all of a sudden you’re cleaning it real hard, both the bed and inside the morning this gal came up missing, to include removing chunks out of the seat, that tells a lot, doesn’t it?”

Miller, who previously lived in Del Norte County and has been living in Arcata, frequently visited the Crescent City area, Del Norte Detective Sgt. Steve Morris said.

He hasn’t been arrested as of Wednesday morning, but detectives found upholstery had been cut from his truck seat and parts of the vehicle had recently been cleaned when a search warrant was served at his home last week. His computer, clothing and truck were seized as evidence.

Miller allegedly met with Dickson the night of July 15 for a pot deal at a beach picnic area just south of Crescent City. She allegedly sold Miller three ounces of marijuana worth about $1,000.

☛ ER Evidence seized from Arcata man in connection to missing woman include truck, computer

Evidence seized following the disappearance of a Crescent City woman suspected to be the victim of foul play include the clothing, computer and truck of an Arcata man who’s been described as a “person of interest.”

☛ TS Missing woman's vehicle near site of drug deal meeting place 7/23/08

Following the investigators' search of the man's Arcata residence, several pieces of evidence were discovered. Authorities continue to await lab testing of that evidence.
Steven said he could not say what evidence was found at the residence, nor reveal the name of the Arcata man, but he said additional information will likely be released later this week.

☛ TS Investigators: Missing woman made pot deal night of disappearance 7/22/2008

Del Norte County Sheriff's Office detectives said Monday that the missing 23-year-old Crescent City woman believed to be the victim of foul play had arranged a pot deal just prior to her disappearance the night of July 15.

☛ ER Missing Crescent City woman made pot deal the night she disappeared 7/22/2008

A search warrant was served Wednesday at the home of the Arcata man Dickson met, Steven said, but he hasn’t been arrested. “When your home is searched and items are taken to the lab for processing, that could change,” he said. “His title could easily change from being a ‘person of interest’ to ‘suspect’ again.”

*** ☛ Triplicate ‘Leads are pouring in' 7/19/08

Today (July 19th) is Michelle Ashlee Dickson's 24th birthday and authorities still don't know where she is.

☛ ER Del Norte woman remains missing 7/19/2008
☛ TS Search warrants served in missing woman's case 7/19/2008

Authorities searched a home in Arcata and interviewed a missing Crescent City woman's friend as a “person of interest” in the investigation launched after her car was found abandoned and on fire earlier this week, officials said Friday.

☛ TS Crescent City woman missing after abandoned vehicle fire 7/17/2008

Foul play is suspected in the disappearance of 23-year-old Michelle Ashlee Dickson, whose car was found around 5:30 a.m. on U.S. Highway 101 south of Crescent City.

☛ ER Possible murder investigation brings Del Norte police to Humboldt County 7/16/2008

OBITUARY - Michelle Ashlee Dickson (1984-2008)
Michelle Ashlee Dickson, 23 years old, died in July 2008.

Michelle was born on July 19, 1984 in Crescent City. She was anticipating completing her AA degree this year while working two waitressing jobs at Ship Ashore and Bistro Gardens. Prior to this, Michelle work-ed at Latitudes in Smith River. Michelle worked with Richard Wills for two years, a year-and-a-half of that time as manager.

Michelle graduated from Paragon High School in January 2002. She was a self motivated learner, completing three years of high school courses in one-and-a-half years, graduating at the age of 16. Michelle enjoyed time at the river, spending time with Matt, her friends and taking her dog to the beach.

She is survived by her mother, Sandy Davis, her step-father, Darrel Davis and her younger sister, Leila Dickson. She is also survived by her grandparents, Barbara and Alfred Coble of Crescent City, Nancy Jacomella of Crescent City, Darrel L. Davis of Crescent City and Bud and Cindy Dickson of Kamiah, Idaho. Her father, Randy Dickson resides in Crescent City. She is also survived by numerous extended family members.

Michelle is also survived by her significant other Matthew Salisbury, who has become a very special member of Michelle's family.

There will be a celebration of Michelle's life on Aug. 9 at Beachfront Park in Crescent City beginning at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers her family is requesting that donations be made in her honor at DENOCOS, 1244 Glenn St., Crescent City, CA, 95531.

A scholarship will be established in Michelle's name at a later date with Del Norte Scholarship Foundation.

The vast array of pro pot sites, though they usually post to any pot related story, almost complete silence on this one.

☛ TS Josiah Miller arraigned on murder charges
Josiah Miller, a 27-year-old Arcata man, was arraigned today on the charges of murder and abuse of a corpse in the state circuit court for Curry County, Ore.. His bail was set at $1,000,000 by Judge Cynthia Beaman
Previous coverage

☛ ER Murder charges filed against Miller

☛ TS Miller arraigned in Oregon for murder, corpse abuse
☛ ER Murder charges filed in slaying of Crescent City woman
☛TS Murder suspect Josiah Miller to return to California
☛TS Josiah Miller returned to California