Man may get death penalty

BY JEFF MOORE
THE DAILY IBERIAN
Published/Last Modified on Thursday, June 5, 2008 2:53 PM CDT

A Coteau man accused of molesting and killing his 7-year-old son could face the death penalty if convicted.

An Iberia Parish grand jury indicted Michael Miller, 36, for first-degree murder Wednesday in the death of his son, Dylan Louviere.

The charge carries a possible death sentence.

“At this point, all options are on the table,” said Assistant District Attorney Bob Odinet. “We haven’t ruled out seeking the death penalty.”

Miller was arrested after his son died in his care on Dec. 7.

Miller told investigators he fell on the boy while hanging Christmas ornaments, but an autopsy later showed the child died as a result of repeated blows to the head.

Miller was initially charged with second-degree murder. According to state law, first-degree murder charges can be levied under certain conditions, such as when the victim is under the age of 12.

“After reviewing the evidence and consideration of the circumstances, we felt the case warranted being presented to the grand jury on first-degree murder,” Odinet said.

The grand jury heard evidence against Miller on Tuesday. The hearing was closed to the public.

In light of the new charge, District Judge Gerard Wattigny raised Miller’s bond from $500,000 to $1 million. Miller remains in the Iberia Parish Jail.

Because he is charged with a capital offense, Miller’s case will be randomly allotted to one of eight district judges. The allotted judge would then set appropriate court dates, starting with an arraignment.

Miller was previously indicted for molestation of a juvenile and second-degree sexual battery of Louviere by a grand jury in February.

He also faces 10 counts of pornography involving juveniles in connection with photographs seized from his computer following Louviere’s death.

Odinet said the sex charges are likely to proceed first. Miller is set for trial on the pornography charge on June 17.

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Comments

T wrote on Jun 16, 2008 3:31 PM:

" So "Sister of Mike" you protray Mike as this loving father which he was not. If he was such a loving father he would have loved and supported ALL his children and not act like they didn't even exist. "

I see how it is... wrote on Jun 15, 2008 1:24 PM:

" Oh but you won't post THAT now will you Mr. Editor. Heaven forbid people read anything besides what you want them to. That's OK.. at least I know why you won't post it. It's the TRUTH.

You need to find a new job, something in the gossip columns would suit you well. If you cared anything about justice and fairness, you would want people to have this information.

I bet you won't post this either. "

c.b. wrote on Jun 14, 2008 5:59 PM:

" If you do the crime ,you must do the time. Give him a fair trial , then let justice be served. That child didnt deserve to die ,but that low life that done that act, is wasting our tax dollars as we continue to baby sit him. "

Hey Sick wrote on Jun 14, 2008 11:57 AM:

" You need to learn the difference between indicted and PROVEN guilty. Until then, I suggest you not try to speak of things you don't know. "

to sick to my stomach wrote on Jun 13, 2008 8:48 PM:

" Seems like you have a lot to learn before you run your mouth ...indicted by the grand jury means he was charged does not mean he is guilty he has not even had a trial for this charge yet.theres a lot you and a lot of others dont know why dont you wait and go to the trial a lot will come out then. It's your choice to beleive everything you read but that don't make it true. "

Sick to my stomach wrote on Jun 13, 2008 3:54 PM:

" He was already indicted for molestation of a juvenile and second-degree sexual battery of his son by a grand jury in February. So where do you get off "innocent until proven guilty"? The scum WAS proven guilty! He deserves life in prison! The death penalty would be too easy for his crimes. The guys in prison just love when they are sent some sick child molestor, of his own son no less! I hope he rots in jail!! "

someone who loves mike wrote on Jun 11, 2008 9:02 PM:

" Just wanted to say, Im still behind you Mike. I know that Mike loved and cared about Dylan and would never hurt him.. hang in there... "

SISTER OF MIKE wrote on Jun 11, 2008 8:44 AM:

" I know I'm you people will think I'm taking Mike's side because he's my little brother, but like they say "What's happening to innocent before proven guilty. Please read the autospy over and over again. I'm an RN. It says he beat him with such blunt force that caused the brainstem to rupture, why was it so hard for the coroner in New Iberia to find the cause, that they had to send his results to another forencic facility to find the cause. If he beat him so severely like they are claiming, their should have been some bleeding onthebrain,peoplearesofasttobeleiveeverythingtheyreaduntilithappenstotheirfamilymember.IpraytoGodthetruthcomesoutsoon.Itwasahorribleaccident,notonlyMikeissufferingbutbothfamiliesonbothsidesaregoingthrough. "

From New York wrote on Jun 9, 2008 12:13 PM:

" To Hopefully Justice & Michelle,

"Do you have childen? What is this boy was yours , what would you want for this man ? Prison justice is the best thing he deserves! "

Hopefully JUSTICE wrote on Jun 8, 2008 9:05 AM:

" Will be just that.... justice. I agree with Michelle. And praying that the defendant has a GREAT LAWYER. We can't believe all what is said and written through the paper and news. I guess many of you all have not been on the other side or have had family members that have been. And to all that says prison justice, have you all seen movies or have heard first or second hand on how prson justice is....Hope one of your family members don't have to experience prison justice. Where is the heart? Every heard of God? "

michelle wrote on Jun 6, 2008 7:49 PM:

" All of you people read, What you think is the truth!But you don't know. Isn't this America? Innocent until proving guilty! People judge on what the news and papers say. We don't know what happened. What if he did fall on that baby? How would you feel, If it was you ? And everyone thought you hurt him on purpose. As parents we all know how accidents happen.I do believe it was a accident.Knowing this person, and how he treated his son. So,Please don't judge until you know all the facts. "

jess wrote on Jun 6, 2008 12:12 PM:

" i wonder how the person that worked for OFS and handled this case sleeps at night... so many people went wrong in this case. sad! may this little 1 finally RIP! "

Disgusted by OCS wrote on Jun 6, 2008 10:25 AM:

" You think OCS would of learned their lesson by this case, but think again. A woman was living without electricity and water, concerned friends and family went and pick up her children. Two weeks after the kids were taken by family and friends the mother od'd on several differant drugs. She stayed in ICU for a few days and then went to rehab for 5 days and when she got out OCS said the kids were to be returned to her because she is the mother and has a right to her children! Please pray for these children. "

From New York wrote on Jun 6, 2008 9:12 AM:

" Where was the mother when all of this was going on? She should be tried just like the father.Instead of the death penalty just put him in general population and let the inmates give him justice. "

rjb wrote on Jun 6, 2008 6:23 AM:

" NOTICE! A white person will probably get the death penalty for murder. It DOESN'T matter if you black or white...it DOES matter if you do wrong or right. THAT is how it SHOULD be! "

Hannah wrote on Jun 6, 2008 4:31 AM:

" Finally, Justice will be served! "

Dylans nanny wrote on Jun 6, 2008 1:24 AM:

" Sadly missed I love you "Dill" we will fight for you every step of the way! R.I.P angel "

me wrote on Jun 5, 2008 11:12 PM:

" What you mean death penalty??? In Louisiana the "DEATH PENALTY" means our tax dollars will feed & house the SOB for the next 50 years until he dies of natural causes. "

All are guilty wrote on Jun 5, 2008 9:08 PM:

" Well put the mother who was unfit to care for the child and the child protection services right beside him. They all had a hand in killing this child. "

Prison Justice wrote on Jun 5, 2008 4:31 PM:

" It doesn't matter if he gets the death penalty; he'll probably get killed in prison before he reaches death row. Inmates don't take too kindly to child molesters. "

Copper wrote on Jun 5, 2008 3:19 PM:

" Do you need a volunteer to do the execution, I m available. Give him what he deserves. "

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Man may get death penalty

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