A Michigan City teen is facing a murder case after allegedly killing an elderly Gary man, then stealing his beige 2002 Honda Accord.
Cameion Brown, 19, is charged with murder and auto theft in the April 9-12 death of Darryl Miller, 71, of Gary. He is in custody.
He told police he attacked Miller after the man touched him “inappropriately,” according to an affidavit.
Gary Police responded April 12 to the 2200 block of Rhode Island Street after two of Miller’s friends reported him missing, Detective James Nielsen wrote in charging documents.
They found his body wrapped in blankets with duct tape around his feet in the bedroom. He appeared to have died days before.
The house was ransacked, signaling a struggle, and blood was on a rocking chair.
Miller was beaten to death. The Lake County Coroner’s Office concluded he died from blunt force trauma to his head and torso. His death was ruled a homicide.
He also had several “defensive wounds,” including a broken jaw, rib, punctured lung and multiple dislocated fingers.
A witness told police that Miller often let people stay at his home who had nowhere else to go. The man showed a picture of “Cameron” and said he last saw Miller with him at church on April 9.
“Cameron” texted the man on April 11, saying he was skipping church. When the man asked where Miller was, Brown said he was “sick,” then stated he “had a girlfriend over” and was “quiet for a while.” The next day, the other man found Miller’s body.
Brown was arrested in the stolen car on Interstate 80/94. His shoes appeared to match imprints left at the scene.
He said he was homeless and fled, since he was in a stolen car.
Brown admitted he knocked Miller, a.k.a. “Pops,” to the ground and punched and kicked him after the older man went into a bedroom and touched him “inappropriately.”
Miller asked him why.
“Really,” Brown responded.
The teen said Miller was “still breathing” when he wrapped him in the blankets. He then clarified that when he bound Miller, he was dead.
“I am done like fried chicken,” Brown told police.
A different witness told police they saw someone matching Brown’s appearance leaving Miller’s home on April 12. The car was parked around the back, which was unusual.
mcolias@post-trib.com
