James Styers

Murderer

1known / alleged victims

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Case Facts

Gender: male
Country: USA
Location: Maricopa County, Arizona, USA
Date of birth: September 3, 1947
Age at first offence: 42
Characteristics: to collect insurance money, financial gain
Victim profile: Christopher Milke, 4 (his roommates's son)
Method of murder: Shooting
Date(s) of murder: December 2, 1989
Years active: 1989
Date of arrest: Next day
Status: Sentenced to death
Sentenced to death on December 14, 1990

Case Summary

Background

James Styers filed a missing child report on December 2, 1989, advising police that his roommate's son, Christopher Milke (age 4), had disappeared during their visit to Metrocenter mall. Roger Mark Scott was present with Styers.

Investigation

On December 3, 1989, Scott admitted during a police interview that he had accompanied Styers the previous day to a desert wash in the area of 99th Avenue and Jomax Road where Styers shot and killed Christopher Milke.

Styers agreed to provide Scott with $250 to file a social security claim. Styers believed he would receive some of Christopher's $5,000 life insurance policy.

At the conclusion of the interview, Scott led police to the desert area where they found Christopher Milke's body.

During a police interview, Debra Jean Milke, Christopher Milke's mother, conceded that she had conspired with Styers to have her son killed. She indicated that it would be better to have her son die than grow up like her husband.

Trial

Presiding Judge: Peter T. D'Angelo Prosecutor: Noel Levy Start of Trial: October 15, 1990 Verdict: November 2, 1990

Sentencing

Sentencing: December 14, 1990 Aggravating Circumstances: Pecuniary gain; Especially heinous/cruel/depraved; Age of victim (4) Mitigating Circumstances: None

Appeals

PUBLISHED OPINIONS: State v. Styers, 177 Ariz. 104, 865 P.2d 765 (1993).

Outcome

James Styers was sentenced to death on December 14, 1990.

Other details

People named in the proceedings included James Lynn Styers and Debra Jean Milke, Christopher Milke's mother. The victim was Christopher Conan Milke, age 4.

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