Frazier Glenn Miller

Case record: Frazier Glenn Miller, Jr.

Background

Frazier Glenn Miller, Jr., commonly known as Glenn Miller, was a former leader of the defunct North Carolina-based White Patriot Party and was a perennial candidate for public office. He was convicted of criminal charges related to weapons and the violation of an injunction against paramilitary activity. He was described as an advocate of white nationalism, white separatism, neo-paganism, and an advocate of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. He was also identified as a Neo-Nazi and former political candidate.

Miller was born Frazier Glenn Cross, Jr. in North Carolina and named after his father. He dropped out of high school and joined the United States Army, where he served 20 years. His service included two tours of duty in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War and 13 years in the Special Forces as a Green Beret rising to the rank of master sergeant. His introduction to white racialist politics included a copy of The Thunderbolt, published by Dr. Edward Fields of the National States' Rights Party, which was given to him by his father.

Miller was present as a member of the National Socialist Party of America during the Greensboro massacre on 3 November 1979. He was discharged from the army as a sergeant in 1979 for distributing racist propaganda.

White Patriot Party and paramilitary activity

In 1980, Miller founded the Carolina Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, a local chapter, which later developed into the White Patriot Party (WPP). He was described as the leader and principal spokesman for the organization until his arrest in 1987, after which the organization dissolved.

After the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) accessed WPP’s computer systems, evidence was presented in court indicating the WPP leadership was planning the assassination of SPLC leader Morris Dees. An injunction barred the WPP from engaging in paramilitary activity. The WPP was described as avowedly pro-Apartheid and as openly advocating the establishment of an all-white nation in the territory of the American South.

Miller claimed he received $200,000 from Robert Jay Mathews, leader of The Order, which funded its activities by robbing banks and armored cars.

During his time as leader of the WPP, Miller unsuccessfully sought the Democratic Party’s nomination for Governor of North Carolina in 1984 and unsuccessfully sought the Republican Party’s nomination for a seat in the North Carolina Senate in 1986.

Prior convictions and related legal proceedings

In January 1985, Miller signed an agreement with Morris Dees in exchange for dropping a lawsuit that the SPLC had brought against him.

In July 1986, Miller was accused of violating the terms of the agreement by operating what was deemed a paramilitary training camp and was found guilty of a criminal contempt-of-court charge. He was sentenced to a year in prison, with six months suspended, and was ordered to have no contact with white supremacists.

A typewritten letter titled “Declaration of War,” dated 6 April 1987 and signed by Miller, was mailed in 5,000 copies. The letter addressed “Dear White Patriots” and included the text “declare[s] war against Niggers, Jews, Queers, assorted Mongrels, White Race traitors, and despicable informants”. It threatened the life of Morris Dees and established a point system for the assassination of Dees and a host of federal officials. The letter also proclaimed:

“Let the blood of our enemies flood the streets, rivers, and fields of the nation…we promise death to those who attack us or who attempt to place us in ZOG's dungeons.”

Miller was charged with violating the conditions of his bond and was sought as a fugitive.

Miller was arrested on 30 April 1987 after authorities raided a mobile home he and others had rented in Ozark, Missouri, with three other men: Tony Wydra, Robert “Jack” Jackson, and Douglas Sheets. Miller and the other men were taken into federal custody. A cache of weapons was found inside, including “C-4 plastic explosives, dynamite, pipe bombs, hand grenades, fully automatic M-16, AR-15 machine guns, sawed off shotguns, pistols, cross-bows, and around a half-ton of ammunition”.

Miller was indicted in May 1987 for violating 18 USC 876 (communicating a threat in the U.S. mail). He pleaded guilty to avoid numerous other violations of federal law and was sentenced to five years in prison.

After his arrest, Miller agreed to testify against several defendants in a major Federal sedition trial in Arkansas (the Fort Smith Sedition Trial). He served three years (1987–1990) in federal prison following his conviction for weapons violations, and for violating the injunction proscribing him from engaging in paramilitary activities.

During a trial hearing where Miller received a five-year reduced sentence, details of his time as an informant were revealed. Details included an incident where Miller was arrested for engaging in sexual acts with a prostitute in a vehicle. No charges were pressed due to his status as an informant, but a phone call recorded with the Southern Poverty Law Center in which Miller admitted to the incident was presented at trial. Miller was later described as having lived for a time under an assumed identity as an FBI informant.

The shootings in Overland Park, Kansas (Jewish Community Center and Village Shalom)

Timeline

• 13 April 2014 — A pair of shootings was carried out at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City and at Village Shalom in Overland Park, Kansas.
• 13 April 2014 — The shootings began at around 1:00 p.m. (CDT) at the rear parking lot of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City near the entrance to the White Theater.
• 13 April 2014 — The gunman was taken into custody at 2:45 p.m. outside Valley Park Elementary School.
• 2 days after the shootings — Miller briefly appeared in court by video and requested a lawyer; charges included one count of capital murder and one count of first-degree murder.
• 13 April 2014 — The shootings included initial gunfire at the Jewish Community Center and continued gunfire at Village Shalom located a little more than a mile away.
• May 7 — John Mark Reidle was indicted by a federal grand jury.
• 7 days after the shootings — Miller was scheduled for a preliminary hearing on November 12 (two days later, the preliminary hearing date was scheduled for November 12).
• 24 April 2014 — Miller made his next court appearance and was granted a month-long delay; the next court appearance was set for May 29.
• 27 May — Miller was charged with three counts of attempted first-degree murder as well as additional counts of aggravated assault and criminally discharging a firearm at an occupied building.
• 29 May — The next court appearance was set.

The offence

On 13 April 2014, a lone gunman carried out shootings at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City and at Village Shalom, a Jewish retirement community. Both locations were in Overland Park, Kansas. A total of three people were killed across the two shootings.

The suspected gunman was described as a man in his seventies. The suspected gunman was taken into custody and later identified as 73-year-old Frazier Glenn Miller, Jr. of Aurora, Missouri, originally from North Carolina. He was described as a Neo-Nazi and former political candidate.

Jewish Community Center shooting

The shootings began at around 1:00 p.m. (CDT) at a rear parking lot of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City near the entrance to the White Theater.

The gunman first fired a handgun at a man who then fled in his car. A bullet struck the shoulder bag of the seat, but he escaped uninjured.

The gunman then fired at two males: 69-year-old Dr. William Lewis Corporon and his 14-year-old grandson, Reat Griffin Underwood. They were hit by gunfire as they pulled into the parking lot inside their car. Corporon died at the scene of a shotgun wound to the head. Underwood died of handgun wounds at a hospital.

While the first shooting was occurring, teenagers were inside the Jewish Community Center auditioning for KC Superstar, a singing competition. Actors, crew members, and other staff were also preparing for a 2:00 p.m. performance of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” The gunman fired several shots into the building.

Staff inside the building were the first to make 911 calls alerting police.

After firing at several other people but missing, the shooter fled in his car.

Village Shalom shooting

After leaving the Jewish Community Center, the shooter opened fire at Village Shalom, a Jewish retirement community located a little more than a mile away.

In the Village Shalom parking lot, Terry LaManno was killed. Two other people were shot at, but gunshots missed both people.

The gunman was later arrested at 2:45 p.m. outside Valley Park Elementary School by two police officers who identified him in his car using tips given by witnesses. As he was led away, he made antisemitic remarks according to witnesses.

A police official confirmed that the gunman used a Remington Model 870 shotgun in the shootings, and several other weapons, including a handgun, were also recovered from his car. Investigators were also determining whether an assault rifle was also used.

In a press conference, the Federal Bureau of Investigation stated that it was “determined” that the motivation for the shootings was antisemitism.

Weapons and items seized

Several items were seized from Miller’s home in Aurora, Missouri, including three boxes of ammunition, a red shirt with a swastika symbol, antisemitic publications (including Mein Kampf written by Adolf Hitler), a list of kosher places, directions to synagogues, and a printout of the KC Superstar competition at the community center.

Authorities told reporters that Miller shouted “Heil Hitler” numerous times during shooting and arrest.

Investigation and suspected accomplice in firearm acquisition

Police officials said Miller purchased the firearms from a straw buyer, enabling him to avoid going through federal background checks. Police said Miller was unable to make personal purchases because of weapons charges he was issued during his arrest in the late 1980s.

Police later arrested John Mark Reidle, a resident of Lawrence County, Missouri, who purchased the shotgun for Miller at a Walmart store in Republic, Missouri, four days prior to the shootings. Reidle allegedly provided false information on a federal firearms form in order to purchase the shotgun. Reidle was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 7. Reidle faced up to ten years in federal prison.

Investigators were also determining whether an assault rifle was used.

Legal proceedings after the shootings

Arrest and court appearances

Two days after the shootings, Miller briefly appeared in court by video and requested for a lawyer.

Miller was charged with one count of capital murder in the deaths of William Lewis Corporon and Reat Griffin Underwood. Only one charge was filed in their deaths instead of two because they died “as part of the same act”.

Miller was also charged with first-degree murder in the death of Terri LaManno.

Prosecutors announced they had yet to pursue hate crime charges and a death penalty.

Miller made his next court appearance on April 24, and was granted a month-long delay. The next court appearance was set for May 29.

At the time, Miller was held on a $10 million bond and had yet to enter a plea.

On May 27, Miller was charged with three counts of attempted first-degree murder, as well as additional counts of aggravated assault and criminally discharging a firearm at an occupied building.

Two days later, Miller’s preliminary hearing date was scheduled for November 12.

Charges expected and federal hate-crime discussion

Miller was expected to face federal hate-crime charges as well as state charges.

Victims

The victims of the Jewish Community Center shooting were identified as 14-year-old boy Reat Griffin Underwood and 69-year-old Dr. William Lewis Corporon. Both were Christians and attendants at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood.

A 53-year-old woman, Terri LaManno, of Kansas City was killed at the parking lot of Village Shalom where her mother resided. LaManno was also a Christian who attended St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Kansas City, Missouri.

Initial reports indicated a fourth person had been shot and wounded, but it was later confirmed that all the people who suffered gunshot wounds were killed.

Including the people shot at but escaping uninjured, only one person targeted by gunfire was Jewish.

Reactions and statements

United States

President Barack Obama called the shootings “horrific” and said in a statement:

“While we do not know all of the details surrounding today's shooting, the initial reports are heartbreaking.”

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder issued a statement in the wake of the shooting:

“I was horrified to learn of this weekend's tragic shootings outside Kansas City. These senseless acts of violence are all the more heartbreaking as they were perpetrated on the eve of the solemn occasion of Passover.”

Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent his condolences to the families of those killed. Netanyahu said:

“We condemn the shootings which, according to all the signs, were perpetrated out of hatred for Jews,”

Local entities

The Jewish Community Center offered condolences to the victims’ families on its Facebook page.

Other shootings and disputes mentioned in relation to Miller

The narrative included references to a separate, unsolved set of killings in 1987 at a gay bookstore in Shelby, N.C.

It said local investigators planned to question Miller about alleged involvement in the 1987 bookstore murders, including claims that he was “involved” in the execution-style murders of three men at the adult bookstore in 1987. The narrative described allegations that a jury verdict in the Shelby case resulted in an acquittal for another defendant, and that Jackson’s trial was canceled. It stated there had been no other trial or conviction for the murder of three men in Shelby. It described defense attorneys’ views that Miller was involved and recounted details of statements attributed to defense counsel and witnesses.

Other details

Miller had an autobiography titled A White Man Speaks Out, privately published in 1999 after his release from prison and after he began trucking.

By 2002 he moved to Aurora, Missouri. When he retired from trucking in 2002, he tried to reenter the white supremacist movement by publishing a racist newsletter, which was met with mixed reaction due to some regarding him as a traitor.

Miller became affiliated with the Vanguard News Network of Alex Linder, described as an anti-Semitic, white nationalist website.

In 2006, Miller ran as an independent write-in candidate against Rep. Roy Blunt in the 7th Congressional District of Missouri. He also ran in the 2010 Senate election in Missouri as an independent write-in candidate.

The narrative said there was controversy about whether Miller was a legitimate candidate or whether he was using his purported candidacy to get air time based on his comments on the Vanguard News Network website. It stated that Miller said:

“stations are required to run advertising for candidates”
“and that he would declare a candidacy and then start running ads.”

It also stated:

“Federal elections offer public speaking opportunities we can’t afford to pass up, and come only once every 2 years.”

The controversy led to Miller being interviewed on The Alan Colmes Show and by phone on The Distorted View Show, The Howard Stern Show, and The David Pakman Show.

It described legal challenges from Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster and the Missouri Broadcasters Association disputing Miller’s status as a bona fide candidate for office. It stated the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) determined there existed no lawful recourse for stations that preferred not to air Miller’s ads because of their offensive content.

It stated he could also be seen as Glenn Miller on the 1991 documentary Blood in the Face.

The narrative said Miller expressed open hatred for Jews repeatedly during an April 2010 interview with David Pakman on The David Pakman Show. It also stated he had his most recent comprehensive interview with David Pakman of The David Pakman Show. It said Pakman released email transcripts from November 2013 and that The Distorted View Show previously spoke to the suspect in 2010.

It stated the SPLC reported that, according to Miller’s wife Marge, Miller went to a casino in Missouri the afternoon prior to the shootings. It said Miller called his wife the next morning at around 10:30 a.m. to tell her “his winnings were up and all was well.” It further said the shootings occurred less than three hours after the phone call.

It stated the victims included United Methodist Christians and St. Peter’s Catholic Church attendance. It also stated that only one targeted person who was Jewish survived uninjured.

In the course of the narrative about the 1987 case, it included quotes from Shelby case reporting and from statements attributed to defense attorneys and defendants, including statements such as: “He was, as far as I am concerned, was directing everything that occurred — anything [the White Patriot Party] did, he had his fingers in,” and “I can’t imagine if this was actually a hit by the White Patriot Party that he was not personally involved, directed it somehow.” It also included the defense claim: “Don’t worry boys,” Bridges said Miller told them, “I’m going to be pointing the finger at you, but don’t worry. You can’t be convicted because it’s all hearsay evidence.” It also included a statement attributed to Sheets about Miller: “he damn sure made a big boom in Shelby.”

It included a statement attributed to the families of Sheets’ and Jackson’s families: “We mourn for the tragic victims of the recent murderous rampage in Kansas. Our prayers go out to their grieving families,” and “If the federal government and their intel partner, the Southern Poverty Law Center, had acted responsibly in bringing Frazier Glenn Miller to justice for masterminding and participating in the Shelby Bookstore Murders back in the 1980s, this Kansas tragedy could never have taken place.”

It stated Sheriff Alan Norman said: “We are going to coordinate an effort between the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas authorities to make sure that avenue is explored,” and it stated prosecutors had moved on after acquittal and dropped charges in the Shelby case.

Bibliographic items mentioned

Barkun, Michael (1997). Religion and the Racist Right: The Origins of the Christian Identity Movement. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. ISBN 0-80784-638-4.

Ridgeway, James (1995). Blood in the Face: The Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations, Nazi Skinheads and the Rise of a New White Culture. New York: Thunder’s Mouth Press. ISBN 1-56025-100-X.

Zeskind, Leonard (2010). Blood and Politics: The History of the White Nationalist Movement from the Margins to the Mainstream. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 1-42995-933-9.