Man charged with murdering former partner to dispute witness evidence
MAN from Dungannon accused of murdering his former partner over six years ago is to challenge some evidence of the Public Prosecution case against him.
John Patrick Miller is charged with murdering Charlotte Murray, some time on October 31 or November 1, 2012.
Originally from Omagh, but living in Moy for some time, Charlotte was aged 34 when she was reported missing by her family in 2013.
Police believe she was murdered after Miller was sent explicit images of her with another man, and within hours was attempting to sell her engagement ring. Her body has never been found.
Miller (46), of Redford Park, yesterday attended Dungannon Magistrates Court for a scheduled hearing to commit him for trial.
However a defence barrister said having since been provided with papers, a Preliminary Investigation (PI) would now be required.
The defence advised District Judge John Meehan that the hearing is likely to last three days, and confirmed the disputed witness evidence has been identified.
Miller, who was accompanied to court by his parents and sister, was remanded on continuing bail to appear again next month when a date for the PI is to be allocated
The court was also advised there has been a change in law firm, although the original solicitor and barrister remain instructed.
Although arrested and quesA tioned at the time Charlotte was reported missing in 2013, Miller was released unconditionally.
Whilst at that time the case was classed as a missing persons enquiry, by February 2015 police confirmed they were treating the case as murder.
Her heartbroken mother and twin sister led public appeals seeking information, and around a fortnight before Miller’s arrest in 2017, PSNI re-issued their call for assistance.
A detective urged the public to come forward with any information, highlighting specific interest in a distinctive ring owned by Charlotte and her mobile phone.
News broke of Miller’s arrest early on October 23, 2017 and the following day a court granted police an extension of 36 hours whilst interviews continued.
He was charged with Charlotte’s murder two days later at Strabane Magistrates Court, though did not immediately apply for bail. Instead, this came on November 1, 2017 — five years to the day since Charlotte’s suspected murder.
This application, before Dungannon Magistrates Court, was refused, but Miller successfully appealed to the High Court, where he was released on very strict terms, which remain in force.
These include a £10,000 surety, three times weekly reporting to police, the surrender of all passports and a ban on entering Co Tyrone under any circumstances, save for court appearances.
Earlier this year, Miller was refused permission to vary his bail terms to permit him to travel on holiday to Turkey from August 13 to 28, with two other couples.
Police objected for several reasons, specifically pointing out some of those with whom Miller wanted to travel are close friends and were interviewed as witnesses in the investigation.
District Judge John Meehan criticised the application at the time.
He said: “This is a very serious case. It is a murder investigation. This holiday just happened to coincide with the prospective arraignment date for return to trial. The risk, to my view, is very live. I also find it most peculiar the defendant would seek to travel with others who are witnesses in the case.”