Dispute Over $20 Leads to Murder Conviction

What began as a dispute over $20 ended in a murder conviction Friday for a Westminster motorist who struck and killed an acquaintance last year.

Michael David Miller, a 29-year-old unemployed electrician, was found guilty of second-degree murder for running down Melvin Brown, 37, who earlier had beaten up Miller’s roommate over the money. An Orange County jury deliberated about 2 1/2 hours.

Miller, who was under the influence of methamphetamine during the incident on Feb. 26, 1995, also was convicted of possessing the drug for sale and evading police.

Miller appeared tearful as he glanced back at family members after the verdicts. He faces up to 17 years to life in prison when sentenced April 19 by Superior Court Judge Francisco P. Briseno.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Lewis Rosenblum said Brown had fought with Miller’s roommate over the money, but the motive for the killing remained unclear.

“He’s a drug user. Who knows why he was thinking what he was thinking,” Rosenblum said.

Miller’s defense attorney, Deputy Public Defender Bob Goss, argued for a lesser conviction of vehicular manslaughter, contending the death was an accident resulting from reckless driving and the effects of the drugs.

Brown was killed as he sat astride his bicycle in the 7300 block of Wyoming Street in Westminster.

The prosecutor told jurors that Miller hunted for Brown shortly after the fight. Miller and Brown discussed the disputed $20 briefly and Miller drove on and turned around. Rosenblum said Miller steered at Brown and accelerated until the 1980 Dodge struck him.

Miller drove away, then abandoned his car and fled on foot, police said. He was arrested four days later.

Goss told jurors Miller and Brown were friends. Goss said the car struck Brown as Miller tried to avoid a second bicyclist nearby.