Charges of assault with a firearm and animal cruelty have been added to the allegations against Eureka resident Jason Michael Miller, accused of murdering Kiera Lynn Foley in April 2021.
Miller, 41, was held to answer for murder after a preliminary hearing earlier this month. Today Judge Kaleb Cockrum arraigned him on that charge, along with fresh accusations of assault with a firearm on Crystal Gonzales and animal cruelty for drowning Bubbles, Foley’s pet dog.
It’s also alleged Miller has convictions in Shasta County for child abuse and false imprisonment.
Gonzales, a friend of Miller’s, testified during the preliminary hearing that Miller put a gun to her head and ordered her to to walk into the bathroom of the room he rented at Laguna Inn. Gonzales said she first smelled and then saw Foley’s body in the bathtub with her dog on top of it.
As Gonzales watched, she testified, Miller drowned the tiny dog in the toilet.
Miller allegedly told Gonzales and his girlfriend Rose Cooper that he killed Foley because he believed she was planning to rob him. He also told a neighbor he killed Foley and offered to show her the corpse.
No blood or other incriminating evidence was found in Miller’s motel room. Her body has never been found.
Miller’s jury trial is scheduled for May 15. Today Deputy District Attorney Jessica Watson was in court for the prosecution. Defense attorney Andrea Sullivan appeared via Zoom from her office in Lake County.
PREVIOUSLY:
- MISSING: Humboldt Woman Disappears Under ‘Unknown Circumstances’
- MISSING: EPD Seeking Woman Last Seen in Eureka in April
- Already Incarcerated Suspect Arrested for Alleged Murder of Missing Woman Kiera Lynn Foley
- MILLER PRELIM: Witnesses Say Suspect in Eureka Murder Showed Them Victim’s Body, Confessed to Dismembering and Burying Her
- MILLER PRELIM: Murder Suspect Can Stand Trial, Judge Rules, Despite the Fact That No Body Has Been Found
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In other court news, this morning the trial of torture and murder suspect Daniella Patricia Moore was scheduled for Sept. 6.
Moore is charged with the July 2019 murder of Eureka resident Hannah Hayhurst, whose mutilated body was found in a parking lot in Eureka on July 4. Moore, now 42, was arrested the same day and remains in custody.
It is believed Hayhurst, 19, was killed with a pair of shears. Some of her vital organs were found next to her body.
Moore has pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity. The trial, including jury selection, is expected to last two months.
Deputy District Attorney Stacy Eads is the prosecutor, with Deputy Public Defender Casey Russo representing Moore.
PREVIOUSLY:
- Eureka Woman Arrested in Connection With Early Morning Homicide Near Hikshari Trail
- Eureka Police: Victim in July 4 Homicide Was 19-Year-Old Eureka Woman; Suspect Will Be Held on Torture Charges
- Eureka Woman Held Without Bail for Alleged Torture, Murder of 19-Year-Old Woman
- COURT ROUNDUP: Supporters Turn Out for McKinleyville Murder Suspect Who Claims He Acted in Self Defense; Eureka Murder/Torture Case Delayed
- TODAY in COURT: Trial of Rancher Raymond Christie Set to Start Later This Month; Torture, Murder Suspect Declines to Show for Hearing
- TODAY in COURT: Latest on the Rio Dell, Manila, Hikshari Trail Murder Cases; Trial of Accused Eureka Sex Trafficker Delayed
- TODAY in COURT: Accused West Del Norte Shooter Pleads Not Guilty; Sex Trafficking Suspect Hopes for Deal; Waterfront Murder Trial Delayed Again
- (GRAPHIC) Doctor Provides Testimony Detailing Autopsy Performed on Victim in Hikshari Trail Murder
- Suspect in Hikshari Trail Murder Must Stand Trial, Judge Rules
- TODAY in COURT: Trial Dates Set for Hikshari Murder Suspect, Eureka Attempted Murder Suspect, Suspect in Shooting of Fortuna Juvenile