Pediatric AIDS researcher, Eric Miller, died a slow death from arsenic poisoning in 2000. Homicide investigator Chris Morgan was certain the victim’s wife, Ann, was responsible and worked relentlessly for years to find the evidence needed to link her to the crime. She eventually pleaded guilty to his murder and is serving a minimum of 25 years behind bars.

“WRAL” Reporter, Amanda Lamb has written a book on Chris Morgan’s work on this case, which is titled “Deadly Dose,” and she spoke with Crimejunkies for a preview...

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO WRITE A BOOK ON ANN MILLER'S CASE?

I was asked by the investigator on the case to write the story.  Veteran homicide detective Chris Morgan had recently retired and wanted the whole story told.  Investigators spent four years trying to get justice for Eric Miller and because the case ended in a plea much of the information was never made public.  I agreed because I had a good relationship with Chris as a colleague and friend, but I was also fascinated by the case.  I covered it from the very beginning and knew it had all the ingredients to make it a compelling book-sex, deceit, intrigue. 

 

ACCORDING TO YOUR WEBSITE, YOU SAID CHRIS MORGAN DESCRIBED ANN MILLER AS "PURE EVIL" DURING HER POLICE INTERVIEW. CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT WHY HE THOUGHT THIS?

From that first night in the interview room when Chris peered at Ann Miller through the window into the room where she was being questioned he felt something come over him.  He sensed that she had a chameleon like quality that would allow her to snow even the most seasoned investigators.  That night she was childlike, wrapped in a blanket, leaning against her father for support.  But when you read the transcript and see the answers she gave its is clear she was no little girl.  She was a grown woman already planning her course of denial.

 

WHAT EVIDENCE EVENTUALLY HELPED MORGAN LINK MILLER TO THE CRIME?

There was a ton of circumstantial evidence, but ultimately it came down to one simple paragraph in a written affidavit.  Before one of Ann's lovers killed himself he spoke to an attorney.  The DA took the case all the way to the North Carolina Supreme Court and was able to get a narrowly defined exception to the attorney-client privilege where this lawyer could tell the court what he knew about Ann's involvement in Eric's murder.  This key piece of evidence allowed prosecutors to get a grand jury indictment and move the case forward.

 

WHAT WAS CHRIS MORGAN'S REACTION TO HER GUILTY PLEA?

Obviously because it was a plea deal Chris knew the plea was coming, but it was still very emotional for him to actually hear Ann admit her guilt in open court after five years of hard work.  He sat with Eric's parents, the Millers, in the courtroom that day.  Because Ann spoke in a soft, little girl voice it was hard to hear her responses.  The judge asked her to speak up.  Morgan exchanged knowing glances with the prosecutor, Becky Holt, and the Millers as the plea was finalized.    

 

HAVE YOU EVER SPOKEN WITH ANN MILLER?

I chased her one time in the parking lot of her employer, PPD, in Wilmington, NC, after she moved to get away from the media spotlight.  I fired questions at her for about twenty seconds before she entered her office.  She broke down in tears and refused to answer my questions.  She refused subsequent requests for interviews.

WHERE CAN VIEWERS PURCHASE YOUR BOOK?

My book can be purchased all all major book stores as well as independents.  Ultimately it should also be available in grocery stores, drug stores, and at other local retailers where paperbacks are sold.  The easiest way to get it is to order it online from Amazon.  Go to to my website and it will give you a link.  www.DeadlyDoseBook.com.