GUILTY FL - Linda Patterson Slaten, 31, murdered, Lakeland, 4 Sept 1981 *Arrest*

[PayrollNerd]

Most likely his DNA would be found on other Rape and Murder cases around Lakeland.

I would not be surprised if his DNA was in Maine also. That's where all the Mills descend from. I went to the library last week and looked him up. All I could find was his marriage and divorce info. If he was in someone's tree, he's private (because he's living) or they've kicked his butt to the curb. I certainly don't want this in my tree. I don't care how distantly he's related to me.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Here is a snip of what I see today:

 

[JudgeJoe]

This is so cool. This lady seemed like such a simple devoted single mom. The sons talked about having nothing growing up, but that she was always there for them & a good person. To think this coach- who would have known they were poor & alone- would take her from them is really evil. So glad his retirement plans are altered. I really appreciate the investigators solving these cold cases. Gotta be tedious! Also love that forensic genealogy is catching people who really thought they were scott free. Gotta be making a lot of mystery perps nervous!

 

[Niner]

Thanks a bunch @PayrollNerd !

And I agree with you @JudgeJoe - re mystery perps are nervous! I love they have this "new" DNA search on all these cold cases. We've had quite a few come thru on WS.

 

[PayrollNerd]

The documents are not available yet.

02/17/2020 NOTICE OF HEARING FILED

02/17/2020 MOTION TO SUPPRESS CONFESSIONS OR ADMISSIONS AND EVIDENCE OBTAINED

02/17/2020 MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE OF MOTION HEARING AND JURY TRIAL AND WAIVER OF SPEEDY TRIAL


Welcome to Polk Records Online, the Polk County Clerk of Court’s consolidated case records search application. Please select from the available options.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Hearings:

Court Date Court Time Location Motion

05/04/2020 8:30 AM BARTOW COURTHOUSE JSEL - JURY SELECTION

03/30/2020 9:00 AM BARTOW COURTHOUSE MOTN - HEARING ON ALL PENDING MOTIONS

02/19/2020 10:30 AM BARTOW 9 C BLUE ELEVATOR STHR - STATUS HEARING


Welcome to Polk Records Online, the Polk County Clerk of Court’s consolidated case records search application. Please select from the available options.

 

[Niner]

Thanks for ALL the info PayrollNerd!!

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, February 19th:
*Status Hearing (@ 10:30am ET) - FL – Linda Patterson Slaten (31) (Sept. 4, 1982, Lakeland) - *Joseph Clinton Mills (58/21 @ time of crime) arrested (12/12/19), charged & indicted (12/16/19) & arraigned (12/31/19) with 1st degree murder, 3rd degree sexual assault with deadly weapon, 1st degree burglary with assault & battery & 2 counts of perjury/false statements to LE. Plead not guilty. $500K Cash or Surety Bond.
Parabon Nanolabs DNA match thru genetic genealogy in June, 2019. Mills' fingerprints were found on a window, when the killer apparently entered the apartment through an unlocked window that was missing its screen. Was youth football coach to one of Linda’s sons.
Jury Selection set to begin on 5/4/20.
12/12/19 Update: Taken into custody for outstanding Polk County warrant for 2 counts of perjury. Grand jury indicted on 12/12/19. Arraignment hearing on 12/31.
12/31/19 Update: Plead not guilty. Requests a trial by jury. Next Status hearing on 1/23/20. 1/23/20: Next Status hearing on 2/7/20. 2/7/20: Next status hearing on 2/19, hearing for all pending motions on 3/20 and jury selection will start on 5/4.
2/17/20 Update: Motion to suppress confessions or admissions & evidence obtained & motion for continuance of motion hearing & jury trial & waiver of speedy trial.

 

[Niner]

@PayrollNerd - when you have time - could you see if the court site has the next court date? Could it be 3/20? I have that as a motions hearing.

TIA!

 

[Niner]

Until I hear anything different since I can't access the court site - posting this....

Friday, March 20th:
*Motions Hearing (@ 9am ET) - FL – Linda Patterson Slaten (31) (Sept. 4, 1982, Lakeland) - *Joseph Clinton Mills (58/21 @ time of crime) arrested (12/12/19), charged & indicted (12/16/19) & arraigned (12/31/19) with 1st degree murder, 3rd degree sexual assault with deadly weapon, 1st degree burglary with assault & battery & 2 counts of perjury/false statements to LE. Plead not guilty. $500K Cash or Surety Bond.
Parabon Nanolabs DNA match thru genetic genealogy in June, 2019. Mills' fingerprints were found on a window, when the killer apparently entered the apartment through an unlocked window that was missing its screen. Was youth football coach to one of Linda’s sons.
Jury Selection set to begin on 5/4/20.
12/12/19 Update: Taken into custody for outstanding Polk County warrant for 2 counts of perjury. Grand jury indicted on 12/12/19. Arraignment hearing on 12/31.
12/31/19 Update: Plead not guilty. Requests a trial by jury. Next Status hearing on 1/23/20. 1/23/20: Next Status hearing on 2/7/20. 2/7/20: Next status hearing on 2/19, hearing for all pending motions on 3/20 and jury selection will start on 5/4.
2/17/20 Update: Motion to suppress confessions or admissions & evidence obtained & motion for continuance of motion hearing & jury trial & waiver of speedy trial. 2/19/20: Next all pending motions hearing on 3/20.

 

[PayrollNerd]

I was able to get online and find this that this case was open: Case : 2019CF010572A000XX
The next status hearing is 5/8/20.

 

[PayrollNerd]

This case is closed and has a note about being consolidated: Case : 2019CF010607A000XX

 

[PayrollNerd]

I can't find anything on the docket beyond 2/26/20.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Here's the download for the Motion to Suppression Confession.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Here is the deposition list.

 

[Niner]

Thanks a WHOLE bunch @PayrollNerd - Much appreciated!

 

[JudgeJoe]

I sure hope jury selection is still on for May. COVID-19 is a horrible health, social and economic disruptor, but when it disrupts justice, it really pisses me off. Linda’s son’s have waited long enough to see this vile “coach” behind bars. Jmo

 

[Niner]

I shall post this until I hear from @PayrollNerd - to see if it is actually happening.... at least I can shorten this up a bit.

Friday, May 8th:
*Status Hearing (@ 8:30am ET) - FL – Linda Patterson Slaten (31) (Sept. 4, 1982, Lakeland) - *Joseph Clinton Mills (59/21 @ time of crime) arrested (12/12/19), charged & indicted (12/16/19) & arraigned (12/31/19) with 1st degree murder, 2 counts of 3rd degree sexual assault with deadly weapon, 1st degree burglary with assault & battery & 2 counts of perjury/false statements to LE. Plead not guilty. $500K Cash or Surety Bond.
Parabon Nanolabs DNA match thru genetic genealogy in June, 2019. Mills' fingerprints were found on a window, when the killer apparently entered the apartment through an unlocked window that was missing its screen. Was youth football coach to one of Linda’s sons.
Jury Selection was set to begin on 5/4/20 waived speedy trial. No further dates as of 3/20/20.
12/12/19 Update: Taken into custody for outstanding Polk County warrant for 2 counts of perjury. Grand jury indicted on 12/12/19. Arraignment hearing on 12/31. 12/20/20: Both cases consolidated into one.
12/31/19 Update: Plead not guilty. Requests a trial by jury. Next Status hearing on 1/23/20. 1/23/20: Next Status hearing on 2/7/20. 2/7/20: Next status hearing on 2/19, hearing for all pending motions on 3/20 and jury selection will start on 5/4.
2/17/20 Update: Motion to suppress confessions or admissions & evidence obtained & motion for continuance of motion hearing & jury trial & waiver of speedy trial. 2/19/20: Next all pending motions hearing on 3/20.
2/2/20 Update: Speedy trial waived, and trial continuance-granted. Cancelled jury selection on 5/4. 2/21/20: Filed Motion to suppress confession or admissions & evidence obtained. 2/26/20: Notice of depositions. Next status hearing on 5/8.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Still digging but found the depositions were cancelled 4/28/2020 and will be scheduled for later.

ETA: That looks like the only update. All the other tabs and lists are the same as they were or are blank. This is so sad for her sons. Blessings to them.

 

[Niner]

Hey @PayrollNerd - was wondering if there might be an update on the court site today? TIA!