Girl charged in sister’s death fantasized about killings: ‘I’m not evil. I’m just mentally ill’ – By Jonathan Bergmueller (Pennlive) / June 29, 2022
In the months before police say Claire Miller stabbed her sleeping sister to death, the teen had confided in her best friend that she had regular thoughts of killing people, according to court testimony Wednesday.
Claire’s friend told detectives the 14-year-old shared suicidal and homicidal thoughts months before the death of Helen Miller, 19, who was mostly nonverbal and had cerebral palsy.
Claire was charged with criminal homicide in Helen’s death, which occurred in the family home in Manheim Township in the early hours of Feb. 21, 2021. Under Pennsylvania law, juveniles charged with homicide must start out with proceedings in adult court.
Claire’s lawyer is arguing that her case should be moved to juvenile court and Wednesday represented the third day of testimony. A judge eventually will determine whether to keep her case in adult court or transfer it to the juvenile system, which is focused on treatment and rehabilitation. Claire is now 16.
