Two men who were among the last to see Evelyn Miller alive said Thursday the heat from both residents and police in the investigation of her murder has been overpowering.
Slick said investigators questioned him again Wednesday. Both men said they have turned over clothing and DNA samples and readily cooperated with authorities.
"They're dead set that Randy did this," Slick said. "I don't think he did it. I think the cops got something stuck in their head and they need someone to blame, is what I think."
Patrie said his lie detector test "probably made me look like a liar" because he didn't want to tell police that after he and Slick left Evelyn's apartment, he dropped off Slick at their apartment and went to visit a friend who is a convicted felon.
Patrie went off probation on a burglary conviction July 1, the day Evelyn disappeared, but his friend was still on probation and could get in trouble for being in contact with him, he said.
The friend wasn't home, "so I know my timeline isn't all that credible," he said.
Noel Miller and her fiance, Casey Frederiksen, were not available for comment Thursday after Evelyn's funeral.
According to Evelyn's grandparents, the Department of Human Services received 12 complaints from friends, relatives and school officials concerned about Evelyn's home life. Linda and Richard Christie believe child welfare workers should have done more to protect Evelyn.
But Gov. Tom Vilsack said Thursday that after reviewing child welfare workers' involvement with Evelyn and her family, he found no indication that the girl was in danger.
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