A Galveston County jury has convicted James Elmore, 61, guilty of felony manslaughter and using or exhibiting a deadly weapon in the death of Laura Miller, who disappeared in September 1984 at age 16 in the League City area. The verdict marked the end of the decades-old "Texas Killing Fields" case that went unsolved for over 40 years.
Tim Miller, Laura's father, has been seeking justice since the day he reported Laura missing in 1984.
Earlier this year, Elmore was charged with felony manslaughter and felony tampering with evidence in the death of Laura, as well as an additional tampering with evidence charge in the death of Audrey Cook.
The manslaughter indictment alleged that Elmore prepared a vial of cocaine for his friend and prime suspect, Clyde Hedrick, to administer to Laura. Hedrick took his own life in March, before he was scheduled to face a grand jury, according to authorities.
Elmore pleaded not guilty during a pre-trial hearing on Aug. 21.
Elmore's charges are part of a renewed effort to hold accountable those responsible for the deaths of around 30 women, whose bodies were found in an area in Galveston County referred to as the "Texas Killing Fields."
The “Texas Killing Fields” area is centered near the intersection of Calder Road and Ervin Street in League City, between Houston and Galveston. Between 1984 and 1991, in particular, four women's bodies were found and identified as Heidi Fye-Villareal, Cook, Laura and Donna Prudhomme.
Leading up to the verdict
During closing arguments Wednesday, Elmore's defense attorney, Bill Agnew, argued that Elmore didn't live in the League City area or know Hedrick in 1984, at the time of Laura's disappearance, based on testimony from Elmore's sisters. The defense also argued that Elmore fabricated confessions because Tim was paying him for the information.
The prosecution pointed out that Elmore confessed to Tim and provided specific details that he could have only known if he was involved. They said the details Elmore provided were corroborated by a detective. Prosecutors also pointed out that Elmore confessed details to Tim before he knew about any reward money.
Prosecutors also argued that Elmore could have admitted the details of Laura's death to Tim to get things off his chest.
Elmore met with Tim numerous times to talk about Laura's death. According to Tim, Elmore allegedly said that he prepared a vial of cocaine and handed it to Hedrick, who administered it to Laura.
Elmore allegedly described seeing Laura shaking, laying back down and taking her last breath. He said Clyde then covered Laura’s body with a "Western-style shirt."
This is a breaking story and will be updated.
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