Trial Delayed Until January For Man Accused Of Killing April Millsap
MOUNT CLEMENS (WWJ/AP) - A trial date has been pushed back for a man accused of killing a 14-year-old girl along a popular Macomb County nature trail.
James VanCallis was scheduled for trial starting Wednesday in Macomb County Circuit Court, but it now is scheduled to begin Jan. 12. The delay is so a defense expert can have more time to review data from additional cellphone records.
The St. Clair County man is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and assault with intent to rape in the death of April Millsap. Authorities say he hit the teen with a motorcycle helmet and stomped on her in July 2014 while she was walking her dog along the Macomb Orchard Trail in Armada.
His lawyer has said there's no DNA evidence linking his client to the crime.
Millsap was reported missing July 24 by her mother after she failed to return home from walking her dog, Penny, which she did nearly every night. Her body was found hours later in a drainage ditch near Fulton and Depot roads. Penny alerted a couple of joggers to the girl's body.
A police officer testified that Millsap's blouse "was torn from her body and moved to around her waist area. Her undergarment had been removed from around her waist and were down about the ankles." A medical examiner ruled she died blunt head trauma and asphyxia due to neck compression.
Less than a month later, police named VanCallis — who was arrested alongside his father on drug charges after a search connected to the murder revealed an alleged marijuana growing operation at their home — as a person of interest in Millsap's death. He was officially charged on Oct. 9.
VanCallis has maintained his innocence and a defense lawyer said there's no DNA evidence linking VanCallis to Millsap's death. However, three witnesses say they saw him talking with Millsap along the trail shortly before her body was discovered, and a shoe print on Millsap's body also matched the "unique" print of athletic shoe worn by VanCallis, prosecutors have said.
VanCallis, who faces life in prison if convicted as charged, remains jailed without bond.
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