***MEDIA ADVISORY***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 30, 2014

STEWART SENTENCED TO 65 YEARS IN IDOC FOR MARK MILLER’S MURDER

Media Contact: Curtis T. Hill, Jr. (574) 296-1888

On May 29, 2014 Elkhart County Circuit Court Judge Terry Shewmaker sentenced Todd Stewart to 65 years in prison for murdering his former boss, Mark Miller. During the sentencing hearing, Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Vicki Becker pointed out that the defendant’s true character was reflected by his actions, including the mutilation of Mr. Miller’s body after the murder. Additionally, Stewart’s lies to police and family resulted in hundreds of man hours spent in a missing persons search and subsequent investigation into Mr. Miller’s death. Although counsel for Stewart argued that the “truth” did not come out at trial, Becker argued that neither the investigation, nor Stewart himself, ever indicated that any other person(s) were involved in the murder or final disposal of the body, a fact only Stewart would know. Ms. Becker requested the full 65 year maximum sentence in the case.

Sheila Miller, Mark Miller’s mother, and Melissa Martin, his former wife and mother of his two sons, both testified at the hearing to explain to Judge Terry Shewmaker how traumatized the children are, and how each of them are at such a loss to understand Stewart’s actions.

Judge Shewmaker pointed out, while sentencing Stewart to the maximum term of years allowed under the law, that Stewart’s lies about his military service are also a reflection upon his character in addition to the other aggravating factors present in the case. The apparent fraudulent attempt that Stewart made to secure ownership and control of the tattoo shop business was also identified as an aggravating factor.

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“Under Indiana law, all persons arrested for a criminal offense are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”