WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2005
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MURDER TRIAL
Local man convicted
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
A Lawrence man portrayed by the state as leading a double life as a church and Christian school leader who was addicted to pornography and involved in a four-year affair has been convicted of strangling his wife.
Jurors deliberated about six hours June 20 before finding Martin K. Miller, 46, guilty of first-degree murder. He faces life in prison with no parole for 25 years when he is sentenced July 20.
Miller's wife, Mary, also 46, was a librarian at the University of Kansas. She died at the couple's home last July 28.
Martin Miller, a carpenter, was a leader at the Victory Bible Church and served on the board of the Veritas Christian School, where his two children are students.
"I think it's quite evident that he was not walking in the spirit, as he pretended to be," said Leo Barbee, Miller's pastor. "He pretended he was walking in the spirit, that he was faithful. I think that all of us are subject to sin, to adultery, to murder, and it's sad, but I don't condemn him."
Carrie Parbs, of Eudora, testified last week about an affair with Miller that began after they met through an adult Internet site. She said they met for what they thought would be a one-night stand that developed into a continuing relationship that included role-playing, bondage and taking photographs, as well as occasional studying of the Bible.
The Millers' children, Melodie, 14, and Matthew, 12, testified at the trial about sounds they heard the night their mother died.
The prosecution alleged that Miller wanted his wife out of the way so he would be free to pursue sexual relationships with other women and to collect more than $300,000 in life insurance benefits. Miller's attorney, Mark Manna, told jurors there were reasonable doubts that the death was a homicide, that Mrs. Miller may have died of a heart attack. He also said she was aware of her husband's pornography addiction and may have known of the affair as well.
"He was not living a deep, secret double life as the state claims," Manna said in his closing argument.
Police at first thought Mrs. Miller's death appeared natural, but then noticed that Miller's account of what happened didn't fit with what the children reported hearing. He was arrested after the coroner ruled the death a strangulation.
Jobs
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Cheryl White of the Lawrence Workforce Center, 2540 Iowa St., said students should look at state and city Web sites for work opportunities. Students should keep an open mind when looking for summer work and often times will have to settle for less than full-time jobs, White said.
Kendra Finney, Overland Park junior, began her summer job in early June. Wanting to gain experience for a future career working with children, Finney decided to take a job as a babysitter.
"A lot of companies hire more people during the summer," White said. "But you tend to get part-time hours."
Finney works for the Dykstra family and watches Claire, 12, Jack, 9, and Annie, 5, while their parents, Gavin and Brenda, work. She said she enjoyed her job because she got to spend her summer getting paid to play.
Finney said she knew it was hard to find a job during the summer and began her search early. Students still looking for a summer job should just keep looking, she said.
"They're so much fun." Finney said. "They make me feel like a kid. And it's a good way to make money."
"At this point in time you can't be picky," Finney said. "Fast food places are always hiring."
Getting motivated to go to work during the summer break can often be as difficult as finding a job. For those who can afford it, taking the summer off from classes and work can make for a relaxing and enjoyable summer, for a while.
Hartley said people tended to get bored
during the summer and taking a summer job could keep them from sitting around doing nothing. She said students should look at the long-term benefits of summer work.
"Look at summer as a break from academics," Hartley said. "A summer job is a new environment. It is a great way to explore what you want to do."
If you don't know what you want to do with your life, she said, getting a summer job could help you figure it out. The more experience you get, the better you can make decisions about what you want Hartley said.
Kate Whalen, Newtown, Conn. junior does not have a summer job.
Fulbright said he decided to work during the summer so he could focus on school during the fall semester. He said he would treat the fall semester as a break from work and the summer break as a vacation from school.
Robert Fulbright, Lawrence sophomore, began his summer job in March. He is now spending his break working 60 to 70 hours a week as the Lawrence franchise manager for CollegePro Painters.
"Yeah, a summer job is a good way to get money and experience," Whaler said. "But some people just need a break."
"It's hard to get a job when everyone is coming back from vacation and looking for work at the same time," Finney said.
Finding a job to last through the rest of the year can be just as difficult as finding a summer job.
With the fall semester beginning in August, it is not too early to start looking for a job to last the rest of the year. Finney said. She said she recommended students start looking no later than mid to early July.