By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
A Galveston County jury found James Elmore Jr. guilty Wednesday following a fast-moving trial connected to the death of Laura Miller.
The verdict came after just two days of testimony.
Jurors began deliberating Wednesday afternoon. A short time later, the court notified the media that the jury had reached a verdict.
Elmore stood trial on charges tied to Laura Miller and Audrey Cook, two women whose remains were found in the League City area decades ago.
Jury reaches verdict in James Elmore Jr. trial
The case moved quickly Wednesday.
Prosecutors rested their case. The defense then called witnesses before both sides completed their cases.
Six women and six men ultimately received the case.
The jury returned its verdict later Wednesday afternoon.
Elmore was found guilty.
I will update this story with the verdict on each individual count and sentencing information as the court releases those details.
Tim Miller takes the stand
Laura Miller’s father, Tim Miller, was among the key witnesses called by prosecutors.
Miller testified about his years of contact with Elmore and his efforts to learn what happened to his daughter.
Jurors also heard about information Elmore allegedly knew concerning Laura and the location where her remains were found.
The defense later cross-examined Miller about those conversations and the investigation.
Jurors watched recorded interviews
The jury also watched recordings involving Elmore.
Those recordings became an important part of the prosecution’s case.
Investigators questioned what Elmore knew about Laura Miller and events surrounding her death.
The testimony focused on whether Elmore knew details that had not been released to the public.
Decades after Laura Miller disappeared
Laura Miller disappeared in 1984.
Her remains were later discovered near Calder Road in League City.
The area eventually became associated with several unsolved deaths and disappearances.
Laura’s death remained under investigation for decades.
Elmore’s arrest brought the case back into a Galveston County courtroom more than 40 years later.
What happens next
The case now moves to the next phase following the guilty verdict.
I am continuing to follow developments from the courthouse and will update this story with the verdict on each charge and sentencing information as those details become available.
Full courtroom video and continuing coverage will also be posted on Tammy Rose Reports on YouTube.
My new book is now available
Outside the courtroom, I have also been working on a deeply personal project.
My new book, When Two Worlds Collide During WWII, follows two families on opposite sides of World War II and the remarkable events that eventually brought their lives together in Wisconsin.
The story is based on my own family history, with real people, family photographs and stories passed down through generations.
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