By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
Tim Miller delivered emotional testimony Tuesday afternoon in the James Elmore Jr. trial. He described the day his daughter vanished and the 2022 call that changed the decades-old investigation.
Miller told jurors that Elmore knew details about Laura Miller and Audrey Cook that the public did not know. He also testified that Elmore described his alleged role in Laura’s death.
Elmore has pleaded not guilty. He faces a manslaughter charge in Laura Miller’s death. He also faces charges of tampering with the bodies of Miller and Cook.
Watch Tim Miller’s afternoon testimony below. This is the court video currently available for download. I will add any additional testimony when the remaining recordings become available.
Tim Miller describes Laura’s disappearance
Laura Miller disappeared on September 10, 1984. She was 16 years old.
Tim Miller described the last morning he saw his daughter alive. He also told jurors about the 17 months he spent searching for answers.
Miller learned in February 1986 that investigators had found the remains of two young women near Calder Road. He took a newspaper article about the discovery to police.
Investigators later identified one of the victims as Laura.
Miller said he repeatedly returned to the field where investigators found her. He searched for her clothing and necklace. He also built a cross near the location.
Years later, Miller founded Texas EquuSearch. The organization has searched for missing people across the United States and in other countries.
Miller called the organization Laura’s legacy.
James Elmore contacted Texas EquuSearch
Miller testified that Elmore contacted Texas EquuSearch in April 2022. The message said Elmore wanted to discuss a missing-person case and “get some things off his chest.”
Miller called Elmore and asked which case he wanted to discuss.
According to Miller, Elmore named Laura Miller and Clyde Hedrick.
Miller then drove to Elmore’s home in Bacliff. Elmore asked him to take a ride to Calder Road.
Once there, Miller said Elmore pointed toward an area behind a church. Miller initially questioned whether Elmore had real information. The location of the so-called Killing Fields had received widespread attention.
That changed during their next stop.
Cemetery detail convinced Miller
Miller testified that Elmore directed him to a home on Nevada Street in Dickinson. Hedrick once lived near the Miller family.
Elmore then directed Miller toward a nearby cemetery.
According to Miller, Elmore pointed toward trees and said Hedrick had hidden there to watch Laura when she visited the cemetery.
Miller said Laura’s visits to that cemetery were not public knowledge.
“That’s when I knew this guy was real,” Miller told jurors.
Miller asked Elmore whether he would speak with law enforcement. He then took him to an FBI office.
Miller recounts Elmore’s alleged statements
Miller testified that Elmore slowly revealed more information during later conversations.
According to Miller, Elmore said Laura was with Hedrick and other men on the night she died. Miller testified that Elmore described mixing cocaine in a syringe and handing it to Hedrick.
Miller said Elmore claimed that he warned Hedrick not to inject Laura. According to Miller, Elmore then described watching Laura shake and take her final breath.
The state has accused Elmore of recklessly causing Laura’s death by preparing a syringe that contained cocaine and another substance.
Miller also testified about a shirt connected to the case. He said Elmore described the shirt before seeing a photograph of it.
According to Miller, that detail had never become public.
Testimony turns to Audrey Cook
Miller said Elmore also provided details about Audrey Cook.
Cook’s remains were found near Calder Road in 1986. Investigators did not identify her until 2019.
Miller testified that he first visited the location with one of the people who found Cook’s body. Days later, he returned to the area with Elmore.
Miller said he did not tell Elmore where to go. According to Miller, Elmore walked to the same location and pointed toward the same tree.
Miller also testified that Elmore described Cook’s alleged shooting. He said Elmore identified the ammunition as a .22-caliber Federal hollow-point rifle bullet.
Miller told jurors that Cook’s autopsy findings were not public at that time.
Miller paid Elmore nearly $33,000
The defense will likely focus on money that Miller gave Elmore.
Miller testified that a reward offered $25,000 for information in Laura’s case. He said Elmore had already implicated himself and revealed key details before receiving any money.
Miller first gave Elmore $5,000. He later made additional payments.
In total, Miller said he gave Elmore nearly $33,000. That amount included the reward and additional money for Elmore’s personal and medical needs.
Miller denied paying Elmore to make the statements.
He said Elmore had information about Laura and other missing women. Miller also feared Elmore could die before investigators solved the case.
“He was the only one left,” Miller testified.
Recorded interview will play for jurors
Miller arranged a recorded interview with Elmore in 2022. He said he wanted to preserve the information because Elmore had discussed cancer and heart problems.
The interview lasts more than 90 minutes.
Prosecutors introduced the recording as evidence Tuesday afternoon. They plan to play it for jurors Wednesday.
Miller said he did not watch the video until two days before his testimony because it was too painful.
Miller says he believes Elmore
Miller continued communicating with Elmore for several years. He also connected Elmore with Hitchcock Police Detective Cory Williams.
According to Miller, Williams later began investigating the case and spoke directly with Elmore.
Prosecutors ended the afternoon by asking Miller whether he believed the information Elmore gave him.
“Yes, ma’am,” Miller answered.
They then asked whether he believes Elmore bears responsibility for Laura’s death.
Miller again answered, “Yes, ma’am.”
The defense has not yet cross-examined Miller.
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Earlier coverage: Read what happened during Elmore’s pretrial hearing and why the judge said the Aug. 31 setting would remain firm.
