MOTHER AND SON CONVICTED OF MURDERING MOM'S FEMALE LOVER

Tonya Miller and Jabaris Miller Sentenced to Mandatory Life Plus…

Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. announces the conviction today of 43-year-old Tonya Miller and her 22-year-old son, Jabaris Miller, accused of killing the mother's lover. Tonya Miller was found guilty by a Superior Court jury of murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and concealing the death of another. Judge Thelma Wyatt Moore sentenced her to a mandatory life term for the murder, felony murder and aggravated assault convictions. She received an additional 10 years to be served consecutively on the concealing a death conviction.

Jabaris Miller received the mandatory life sentence on murder, felony murder and aggravated assault convictions. He was also convicted of arson in the first degree as well as concealing the death of another. He was sentenced to 20 years to be served consecutively for conviction on those two charges.

The victim, 55-year-old Cheryl Miranda, was beaten and stabbed to death sometime between February 27, 2005 and March 4, 2005. Her body was discovered on the latter date in her white truck parked on Welcome All Road in Fulton County. The vehicle had been set on fire. The jury began its deliberations yesterday.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Senior Assistant District Attorney Clint Rucker of the Major Case Unit and ADA Tonya Shy. The investigation was conducted by Officer G. Kalish of the Fulton County Police Department and Fulton County DA Investigators Stephen Barresi and Patrice Nesbitt. Jennie Riski of the DA's Victim-Witness Assistance Program coordinated services to family members and witnesses.

CONTACT: Lyn Vaughn, 404.730.6860 (office); 770.597.6963 (cell); lyn.vaughn@co.fulton.ga.us