Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers announces indictment in Westwood murder case
On Thursday, Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers announced the indictment of Lance Miller, 32, for the Aug. 18 murder of a Westwood mother of two.
Miller was indicted for one count of aggravated murder (SF), two counts of murder (SF), two counts of felonious assault (F2), one count of kidnapping (F1) and one count of abduction (F3). If convicted of all charges, he faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
On Aug. 18 at 10:52 p.m, Miller called 911 and Cincinnati Police were dispatched to an address in Westwood. When police arrived, they were met by Miller, who reported there was an issue with the lease on a vehicle registered to his girlfriend, the 36-year-old victim. Miller reported the victim was refusing to get out of the vehicle.
When officers approached the victim, she was seated in the passenger seat of her vehicle. The victim reported there were no problems, but she would not exit her vehicle to go inside. The police officers left the scene, as there was no criminal activity being reported.
Approximately one hour after the initial 911 call, it is alleged that Mr. Miller went into the home, which belonged to the victim, and retrieved a firearm. As he exited the home, he allegedly opened fire on the vehicle, striking the victim at least once. Police again were dispatched a second time to the scene.
When police arrived, the victim’s vehicle was gone, but they found nine .40 caliber shell casings and shattered glass in the driveway. Police also found a .40 caliber firearm on the front porch. Neither Mr. Miller nor the victim was located at the residence.
Investigators initiated tracking of Miller’s and the victim’s cell phones and determined their phones were traveling south on I-75. At 5:30 a.m. the following day, the victim’s phone was found on the side of the road on I-75 near Lexington.
Investigators began tracking the victim’s BMW, which was located southbound on I-75 before getting on I-40 in Tennessee. Police in western Tennessee located the vehicle and attempted to make a traffic stop.
Miller, who was driving the vehicle, allegedly attempted to flee. After the use of stop-sticks, Tennessee police were able to execute the traffic stop and take Miller into custody without further incident.
The victim was located in the front passenger seat of the vehicle, deceased. It is unclear when the victim succumbed to her injuries.
Miller has been held at the Wilson County, Tenn. jail pending extradition. Miller has since waived extradition and will be returned to Hamilton County on Sept. 11.
Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers commented on the allegations, “This is a shocking and senseless murder of a young mother. While we deal with violent criminals on a daily basis, this case is particularly heart-wrenching.”
An indictment is merely a charge and is not evidence of guilt.