Albert Church
EFFINGHAM CO., Ill.—Effingham County State’s Attorney Bryan M. Kibler has filed a Class X felony homicide charged against one of the individuals held in connection with the February death of Jessica M. James, 29, of Effingham (and formerly of Shelbyville).
Jay C. Miller
Kibler charged Monday (today) that Jay C. Miller, 23, of Altamont, committed the offense of Drug Induced Homicide on Feb. 4 of this year in that Miller “knowingly delivered a substance containing heroin [to James, and that James subsequently] injected a portion of that heroin into her body and that said injection of heroin caused the death of …James.”
“Our actions this morning in filing the new charge are predicated on toxicology reported received by my office late last week,” said Kibler. “Upon review of these reports, we know now–as suspected–that Ms. James dies of a heroin overdose.”
Miller previously had been charged with mere Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Heroin), a Class 2 felony, along with simple possession.
aS a Class X felony charge, Drug Induced Homicide is punishable upon conviction by not less than 15 but not more than 30 years in prison.
A purported Miller Accomplice, Albert D. Church, 23, of Effingham, remains charged with Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Heroin) by Accountability, also a Class 2 felony. Authorities believe that Albert Church arranged for Jesisca James’ purchase of heroin from Jay Miller. Miller and Church remain in custody at the Effingham County Jail.