This case was the subject of a CBS 48 Hours story
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What causes someone to become a serial killer? And can such a person be rehabilitated? ...
Donald Miller was the quintessential boy-next-door. Growing up in a quiet middle class neighborhood in East Lansing, Michigan, Don seemed completely normal. Although he grew up in the mid-70s, when many of his classmates were growing their hair long and dabbling in drugs, Don was a clean-cut straight arrow. He served as a youth minister at his church. He went to the local college, Michigan State University, where he played trombone in the school marching band. He dated a girl who went to his church, Martha Sue Young.
But Don Miller wasn't the normal boy-next-door. He became a serial killer.
In the winter of 1976, Don and Martha, who also went to Michigan State, became engaged. Just a few days before New Year's Eve, Martha had a change of heart, and broke off the engagement. Don convinced her to stay friends anyway.
Two days later, Martha disappeared. Police suspected Don, but could find no evidence. Over the next 18 months, three other Lansing-area women disappeared. Two days after the last disappearance, Don attacked 14-year-old Lisa Gilbert and tried to kill her. When her younger brother Randy came home, Don tried to kill him. While Don was attacking Randy, Lisa ran out of the house and got help.
Don was arrested, convicted of rape and attempted murder, and sentenced to 30 to 50 years in prison. He agreed to help authorities solve the four unsolved murders, in exchange for a plea bargain. With the help of the drug sodium amytol and skillful psychiatrists, Miller confessed to all four murders. In the end, that plea bargain ended up adding no time to his sentence. And with time off for good behavior, Don is due to get out after only 20 years in prison, at the relatively young age of 43...
Source:
The Killer Next Door, Beneath The Normal Exterior - CBS News
LINKI:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/1999/01/06/48hours/main27268.shtml?source=search_story
_______________________________________
What causes someone to become a serial killer? And can such a person be rehabilitated? ...
Donald Miller was the quintessential boy-next-door. Growing up in a quiet middle class neighborhood in East Lansing, Michigan, Don seemed completely normal. Although he grew up in the mid-70s, when many of his classmates were growing their hair long and dabbling in drugs, Don was a clean-cut straight arrow. He served as a youth minister at his church. He went to the local college, Michigan State University, where he played trombone in the school marching band. He dated a girl who went to his church, Martha Sue Young.
But Don Miller wasn't the normal boy-next-door. He became a serial killer.
In the winter of 1976, Don and Martha, who also went to Michigan State, became engaged. Just a few days before New Year's Eve, Martha had a change of heart, and broke off the engagement. Don convinced her to stay friends anyway.
Two days later, Martha disappeared. Police suspected Don, but could find no evidence. Over the next 18 months, three other Lansing-area women disappeared. Two days after the last disappearance, Don attacked 14-year-old Lisa Gilbert and tried to kill her. When her younger brother Randy came home, Don tried to kill him. While Don was attacking Randy, Lisa ran out of the house and got help.
Don was arrested, convicted of rape and attempted murder, and sentenced to 30 to 50 years in prison. He agreed to help authorities solve the four unsolved murders, in exchange for a plea bargain. With the help of the drug sodium amytol and skillful psychiatrists, Miller confessed to all four murders. In the end, that plea bargain ended up adding no time to his sentence. And with time off for good behavior, Don is due to get out after only 20 years in prison, at the relatively young age of 43...
Source:
The Killer Next Door, Beneath The Normal Exterior - CBS News
LINKI:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/1999/01/06/48hours/main27268.shtml?source=search_story