Sentencing in Miller case delayed again

Defendant pleaded no contest in death of Michelle Dickson

Sentencing was continued for the man who pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter in the death of Crescent City resident Michelle Dickson.

Josiah Miller, 29, faces a sentence of three, six or 11 years for the voluntary manslaughter charge. It will be decided how long he will serve at his rescheduled sentencing on Dec. 22.

William Cater, Miller’s attorney, did not appear at the sentencing on Friday, which forced Judge Robert Weir to continue the sentencing for a second time.

Miller’s sentencing was continued a previous time because probation reports were not ready.

Cater informed the court beforehand he would not be able to make it to the hearing because of a personal emergency.

During the hearing, District Attorney Mike Riese said he heard that Cater didn’t appear because  he had a friend he wanted to go see.

Afterward Sandy Davis, Dickson’s mother,  read a letter to the court asking that a decision be made Friday after what she considered a long journey following the death of her daughter.

“I feel we’ve been patient in this process that took 28 months,” said Davis, tear-filled as she read the letter. “We would like to see the journey of the legal process end today.”

Judge Weir was unable to grant Davis’ request because it was necessary for Cater to be present for the official sentencing of Miller.

As the new date was being discussed, Riese said he was having surgery next week and insisted the matter be continued to December.

“I would hope we could deal with this matter sooner,” said Weir.

He suggested another DA handle the sentencing.

Riese said that Cater could accommodate any date in December.

Weir agreed to put it on the calendar for Dec. 22.

Miller pleaded no contest to stabbing the 23-year-old Dickson after the two met at a picnic area off Enderts Beach Road on July 15, 2008, for what authorities said was an $800 marijuana transaction. Dickson didn’t show up to work the next day and her car was found burning near South Beach, not far from the intersection of U.S. Highway 101 and Sand Mine Road.

A group of hikers discovered Dickson’s body about a week later underneath the 345-foot-tall Thomas Creek Bridge on U.S. Highway 101 just north of Brookings, Ore.