Crime & Safety
Jury Returns Verdict in Murder of Teen on Macomb Trail
The jury got the case Friday in April Millsap murder trial.
James VanCallis, 34, of Goodells, was convicted Monday of first-degree murder and other charges in the July 2014 death of April Millsap, 14, of, Armada, who was bludgeoned and strangled as she walked her dog along a Macomb County Trail, WJBK-TV reports.
The jury, which got the case Friday, returned the jury Monday. Other charges include felony murder, kidnapping and assault to intent commit sexual penetration.
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He will be sentenced on March 30.
The jury heard three weeks of testimony in the case, then deliberated for more than six hours Friday and Monday, the Detroit Free Press reports.
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Prosecutors said VanCallis intended to sexually assault the teen, and hit her with his motorcycle helmet and then stomped on her neck in a remote area of the Macomb Orchard Trail.
Read More About this Case on Patch
- Police Release Sketch of Person of Interest in Armada Teen’s Murder
- Report: Armada Teen Died of Blunt Head Trauma, Asphyxia
- April Millsap May Have Been Targeted for Sexual Assault
- Man Jailed for Pot Plants ‘Person of Interest’ in Armada Teen’s Murder
- Murder, Sexual Assault Charges Filed in Armada Teen’s Death
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