A suspect in the death of 10-and-a-half-month-old Mercedes Lain has pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder. Justin Lee Miller appeared for an initial hearing in Starke Circuit Court Friday morning. An initial plea of not guilty was already entered on his behalf in Marshall County, on a related charge of neglect of a dependent.
Lain’s parents reportedly left her in Miller’s care on August 13. Miller reportedly told police that when he woke up the next day at a home in Mishawaka, Lain was dead, and he allegedly disposed of her body in a wooded area in Starke County.
Miller appeared remotely Friday from the Starke County Justice Center, where he’s being held on a $500,000 cash bond. Judge Kim Hall denied Starke County Prosecutor Leslie Baker’s requests to deny bond entirely and appoint a special prosecutor, citing a lack of sufficient evidence.
The judge did agree to appoint an attorney for Miller, but said he wasn’t ready to name one just yet. Hall said he wanted to take the time to find someone who’s willing and competent to handle a case of this magnitude. He said he’d reach out to Alex Hoover, Miller’s court-appointed attorney in Marshall County.
Baker also requested that a gag order be issued to prevent those involved in the case from speaking publicly, but Hall said he’d hold off until Miller’s attorney is in place and has a chance to weigh in. Similarly, Miller’s interest in a speedy trial was noted by the judge, but Hall said he’d wait for the attorney to submit a formal request.
Potential jury trial dates were set for the week of December 6, January 17, or February 14. If convicted of murder, Miller would face 45 to 65 years in the Indiana Department of Correction, along with fines of up to $10,000.
Suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
