Jay Miller: Drug Dealer or Just Another User?

Was Jay Miller a drug dealer or just another drug user?

That's what an Effingham County jury will have to decide.

The 22-year-old Altamont man is charged with drug induced homicide for supplying the heroin to Jessica James of Effingham that led to her death in February.

During opening statements in Miller's trial Monday morning, Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler said the prosecution would establish a chain that Kibler said indicates James contacted Miller, Miller delivered the heroin, and James died after using the heroin.

Effingham County Public Defender Scott Schmidt contended in his opening statement that Miller "is not a drug dealer." He suggested that his client "suffers from the same weakness Jessica did" and "might well have been doing the same thing as Jessica" in using heroin.  

Schmidt noted that Jessica James' death was a "tragic circumstance", but said "Jay Miller's life is worth no more or less than Jessica James'".  

Testimony is expected to conclude Tuesday.