Miller Charged w/Drug Induced Homicide

Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler has filed a Class X felony homicide charge against one of the individuals held in connection with the February death of 29-year-old Jessica James of Effingham, formerly of Shelbyville.

Kibler is alleging that 23-year-old Jay C. Miller of Altamont committed the offense of Drug Induced Homicide on February 4 in that Miller "knowingly delivered a substance containing heroin (to James, and that James subsequently) injected a portion of that heroin into her body and that said injection of heroin caused the death of...James."

"Our actions this morning in filing the new charge are predicated on toxicology reports received by my office late last week," said Kibler.  "Upon review of these reports, we know now--as suspected--that Ms. James died of a heroin overdose."

Miller previously had been charged with Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Heroin), a Class 2 felony, along with simple possession.

As a Class X felony charge, Drug Induced Homicide is punishable by not less than 15 but not more than 30 years in prison.

A purported Miller accomplice, 23-year-old Albert D. Church of Effingham, remains charged with Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Heroin) by Accountability, also a Class 2 felony.  Authorities believe that Albert Church arranged for Jessica James' purchase of heroin from Jay Miller.  

Miller and Church remain in custody at the Effingham County Jail.