A judge on Tuesday refused to lower the $500,000 bond for a Summit man accused of shooting his ex-wife to death in front of the couple’s 4-year-old son in August.
Jason Scott Miller, 35, is charged with murder in the Aug. 12 shooting death of his ex-wife, Tracy Miller.
Pike County Justice Court Judge Aubrey Rimes turned the case over to the grand jury after denying a request by Miller’s attorney, Ben Gilbert of McComb, to lower the bond.
County prosecutor David Brewer indicated authorities may pursue a kidnapping charge, which would upgrade the charge to capital murder since Miller is accused of committing a murder in the commission of another felony. If that happens, prosecutors could seek the death penalty.
Pike County sheriff’s investigator Jake Bellipani testified about a number of details discovered during the investigation. He responded to Tracy Miller’s home in the 1000 block of Pine Cone Lane a short time after the shooting.
Bellipani said the shooting followed two days of heated text messages between Jason and Tracy about child custody and visitation the following weekend.
Jason Miller later posted a message on Facebook that read, “My life is over.”
Bellipani said Tracy Miller called 911 around 10 a.m. on Aug. 12, and told the dispatcher Jason Miller was beating the back door with a gun. After a struggle, a gun fired, Tracy Miller told dispatchers she had been shot and the line went dead.
Moments later, Bellipani said, the same dispatcher called the residence, and Jason Miller answered the phone. He allegedly said the couple’s then 4-year-old son called 911 by mistake and hung up.
Deputies responded to the scene after the second call. Bellipani testified that the back door was broken and deputies found Tracy Miller in the bedroom with multiple bullet wounds inflicted by a Highpoint 9mm handgun left on the kitchen table. He added that between five and seven spent bullet casings were found in the house.
Bellipani later testified that Jason Miller called his girlfriend, Kelly Bennett, and his first ex-wife. Both advised him to surrender.
Bellipani said Bennett recalled a conversation in which Miller “said he’d done something bad and shot his ex-wife.”
After the shooting, Miller allegedly kidnapped the 4-year-old and took off in his red pickup.
The vehicle was later found abandoned on Highway 98 just inside Amite County after running out of gas.
Miller and his son were found in a patch of woods nearby.
Bellipani said the boy was unharmed but covered in blood, and Jason Miller had a cut on his left ring finger.
After both received treatment, Bellipani testified that the boy “said he’d watched his father shoot his mother.”
He said Jason Miller confessed and showed remorse after his arrest.
