Man Who Used Car to Kill Gets 15 Years to Life

A Westminster man who was under the influence of methamphetamine when he fatally rammed his car into an acquaintance following a dispute over $20 was sentenced Friday to 15 years to life in prison.

Michael David Miller, 29, offered an emotional apology to the family of Melvin Brown, 37, also of Westminster, who was struck and killed last year as he sat astride his bicycle.

“I know I must pay my debt to society,” said Miller, who last worked as an electrician. “I wish I could have had treatment for my drug problem before it got to this point.”

Superior Court Judge Francisco P. Briseno said he believed the crime was motivated in large part by Miller’s methamphetamine addiction, and told grieving relatives that the drug has a worse effect than most families realize.

Last month, a jury found Miller guilty of second-degree murder, possessing the drug for sale, and evading police in connection with the Feb. 26, 1995, slaying in Westminster.

Events leading to the incident started earlier that day when the victim beat up Miller’s roommate over the money, according to trial testimony.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Lewis Rosenblum told jurors that Miller hunted for Brown shortly after the fight. The two discussed the disputed $20 briefly before Miller got in his car to drive away.

But he turned his car around, steered at Brown and accelerated until the 1980 Dodge struck the man, the prosecutor said.

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

Miller’s attorney urged jurors to return a lesser conviction for vehicular manslaughter, contending that the death was an accident resulting from reckless driving and the effects of drugs.

Deputy Public Defender Bob Goss told the judge Friday that his client’s longtime use of methamphetamine had made him a “different person.”

Miller told the judge he has been sober since his arrest, has been taking classes in jail and wants to be a good father to his 8-month-old son.

Relatives of the victim, in emotional statements to the court, urged the judge to remember that Brown will never have a chance to be a father to his children.