Miller Pleads Guilty in Lori Norman Murder Case

Judge Paul Stutesman conducted a status hearing Tuesday in which Randall Miller pled guilty to the 2019 murder of Lori Norman. (Zoom screenshot via YouTube)

Randall Miller pled guilty in St. Joseph County 45th Circuit Court Tuesday for the murder of Lori Norman on March 25, 2019. Norman was found unresponsive in her home, and police who responded at the time were unable to revive her. An autopsy report issue afterward suggested she may have died from strangulation. In addition, she had a variety of cuts and bruises she may have sustained at the same time.

Appearing on Tuesday before Judge Paul Stutesman, Miller accepted a deal from St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough in exchange for his guilty plea. Under the deal, Miller pled guilty to second-degree murder, while the McDonough agreed to drop all other charges. Those other charges include those related to Norman’s murder as well as an unrelated felony charge of three counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct with three victims under the age of 13. Details on those alleged crimes came to light in the course of the investigation into Norman’s murder.

In his testimony Tuesday, Miller said he had an argument with Norman, which he tried to stop. A struggle ensued, and Miller said he pushed Norman away. When Stutesman asked Norman for clarification on what he meant, Miller said he placed his hand on Norman’s throat, squeezed, and cut off her oxygen until she went limp.

Following that, Miller said he panicked and left. Upon further questioning by Stutesman, Miller said he “tried to help her but it didn’t work.” Miller did not call police or seek other assistance for Norman. When police later asked him what happened, Miller said he didn’t know.

By entering a guilty plea, Miller forfeited his right to a jury trial, as well as his right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. It also means that if he wishes to pursue an appeal at any point, he may not do so by right. Instead, he must first obtain the court’s approval of an application for leave. Following the guilty plea, Stutesman cancelled Miller’s bond.

The second-degree murder charge was an adjustment from an earlier charge of open murder, which can include any degree. A second-degree murder conviction comes with a possible prison sentence that can range in length from 20 years to life. As part of the plea deal, McDonough asked for a sentence of no more than 20 years. A hearing date to determine Miller’s actual sentence was set for December 18.

Dave Vago is a writer and columnist for Watershed Voice. A Philadelphia native with roots in Three Rivers, Vago is a planning consultant to history and community development organizations and is the former Executive Director of the Three Rivers DDA/Main Street program.