(FORT WAYNE, Ind.) – The man accused of molesting and murdering eight-year-old April Tinsley in Fort Wayne 30 years ago will be formally charged on Thursday.
Allen County Prosecutor Karen Richards isn’t discussing whether she’ll seek the death penalty for John Miller, nor whether he’s a suspect in any other crimes. In her first public comments since Miller’s arrest on Sunday, she praised what she says have been three generations of police detectives who worked the case daily for three decades, chasing leads and exploring every new technological breakthrough.
Richards says the expansion of DNA technology and databases, which led to Miller’s arrest on Sunday, a game-changer for law enforcement. She says any killers who think they’ve gotten away with their crimes should take note.
Richards declined to discuss any specifics of the case, including whether she’ll seek the death penalty for Miller, or whether the Grabill man is a suspect in any other crimes.
Richards’ voice caught a couple of times as she recalled being a deputy prosecutor when April was killed in 1988. She says the case has “haunted” Fort Wayne for 30 years.
State Police spokesman Ron Galaviz says he hopes the arrest is a step toward closure for April’s family.
“Somewhere up there, there’s a little girl dancing with her angels. She’s celebrating,” Galaviz says.
(Photo: Chris Davis/WIBC)
