(William Miller)
A confession given by William Miller can be used in the upcoming Rebekah Gould murder trial as ruled by Izard County Circuit Judge Tim Weaver.
According to NEA Report, Miller admitted during an hours-long interrogation he hit the college student in the head with a loose piano leg twice, shattering the object as she laid in bed. He then took a necktie from the closet and strangled the woman to death. He offered no motive for killing Gould.
(Rebekah Gould)
Miller’s attorneys argue that he was not properly Mirandized in the hours leading up to the multiple confessions, and it wasn’t voluntary, among other issues. When the Oregon State Police polygraph examiner Damian Acosta verbalized Miranda to Miller, he failed to tell him that if couldn’t afford an attorney, one would be provided for him.
Weaver ruled that this was “cured” due to the fact that Miller bragged to officers about being “a king” where he lived in the Philippines and that he made $25,000 per month working on oil rigs. He also offered to pay for a relative’s legal expenses.
Gould’s father, Dr. Larry Gould of Mountain Home, said he was relieved after the three-day suppression hearing and said Acosta apologized for the error after the hearing. Gould said Acosta played a critical role in obtaining the second confession from Miller and there was nothing for the officer to apologize for.
At the time of her murder, Miller was 28-years-old and Gould was 22. She was found Sept. 27, 2004, one week after being reported missing.
Miller’s upcoming trial for the murder of Gould is set to begin Oct. 31.
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