Jury Selection Next Week For Trial In 2000 St. Marys Slaying

Published On: Oct 14 2011 02:31:00 PM EDT  Updated On: Oct 27 2005 02:50:00 AM EDT
KINGSLAND, Ga. -

Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday in the trail of a man accused of killing a teenage girl in St. Marys in 2000.

James Miley is accused of killing 14-year-old Ashley Nichole Neeves, whose body was found near the waterfront in St. Marys.

The trail was delayed several times, most recently because defense attorneys contested the use of evidence found during a search of Miley's home, taking the matter to the state appeals court.

The defense contends that evidence from Miley's home which allegedly had Neeves' blood on it were not within the scope of the search warrant, and therefore should not be allowed to be presented at trial. The appellate court agreed, and the evidence will not be allowed in the trial.

Miley, who was an 11th-grader at Camden High School at the time of the slaying, knew Neeves. Investigators believe he killed her during a struggle, then hid her body in some bushes.

The state said they will seek the death penalty if Miley is convicted.

The trial will be held in Brunswick. While the jury will be selected next week, opening statements in the trial scheduled for Nov. 7.

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