Dix Hills man accused of murdering his father pleads not guilty by reason of insanity
Christopher Miller, 43, is facing one count of second-degree murder and faces up to 25 years to life if convicted.
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The man accused of murdering his father at their Suffolk County home Wednesday went before a judge for the first time Thursday and pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
Christopher Miller, 43, is facing one count of second-degree murder. Christoper went before the judge and said that he did not feel comfortable with the lawyer assigned and entered the plea himself.
Police say Christopher Miller got into a fight with his father, John Miller, 75, at their home on Bruno Lane. Christopher Miller went upstairs, grabbed a shotgun and shot his father multiple times in the kitchen before fleeing the scene, according to police.
Prosecutors say Christopher Miller lined up the shotgun and an AR15 the night before on his bed.
Christopher Miller fled the scene and efforted stealing a landscaping truck, according to prosecutors. When that was not successful, he hid in a neighbor’s shed.
Investigators found Christopher Miller hiding in a neighbor's shed. Police escorted Christopher Miller back to the home where they made the discovery.
Prosecutors say Christopher Miller attempted to flee and that an officer wrestled him to the ground.
John Miller was a retired Suffolk County police detective and longtime Wyandanch Volunteer Fire Company member.
People who knew John Miller affectionately referred to him as Jack and stopped by the home to pay their respects today.
"Jack Miller pulled us all together and really got it going at the firehouse," former Wyandanch Volunteer Fire Company member Tom Arcese said. "He meant a lot to people, and he meant a lot to this community. For a long time."
Police are still working to piece together what led up to the shocking killing.
Authorities have said that Christopher Miller was injured in a car crash Monday and taken to the hospital. Unaware of his son's whereabouts, John Miller called Suffolk County police to file a missing persons report. Police told John Miller that his son was in the hospital from the crash.
Police said John Miller picked up his son at the hospital on Tuesday. The next morning is when the fatal shooting happened.
Police initially took Christopher Miller back to the hospital for treatment related to Monday's crash, but he has since been released back into police custody.
John Miller's death has shocked the community.
"It's really a good neighborhood," neighbor Nisha Shibi says. "We never had any problems. Everybody was so nice to everybody, and this was, you know, heartbreaking."
Christopher Miller faces 25 years to life if convicted.
