Phoenix cold-case murder suspect beat assault rap 10 years ago
Jan 15, 2015, 11:28 AM | Updated: 11:29 am
PHOENIX — A Phoenix man arrested Wednesday in connection with two killings in the early 1990s could have been stopped 10 years earlier when he was charged with a crime in Washington.
Bryan Miller was arrested May 23, 2002 in Everett, Wash. for first-degree assault with a weapon after he stabbed a woman multiple times. He claimed she was attempting to rob him and was later acquitted.
Shari Ireton, director of communications with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s office, said she believes Miller’s acquittal may have delayed linking him to the Phoenix murders.
“The state would have had no reason to collect his DNA because that would have been a part of his sentencing process,” she said. “That could have actually possibly solved the case a little bit earlier.”
Phoenix police said DNA evidence played a vital role in Miller’s arrest.
Miller moved to Everett shortly after the bodies of two girls were found by police in Phoenix. Everett Police Officer Aaron Snell said they have found no evidence to link Miller to any unsolved homicides, but they will continue to look through their files.
“At this point in time, there is really nothing that would connect him to any of the cases that we currently have,” he said. “However, due to due diligence, we will be looking at them.”