BOISE, Idaho (CBS 2) — A 54-year-old Boise man was sentenced to 25 years to life Wednesday for a decades-old murder in Ada County.
Lee Robert Miller was sentenced by an Idaho judge to 25 years fixed to life based on the plea agreement.
Everyone involved wanted to reach a sentence as quickly as possible for the victims‘ sake.
Miller was arrested in Washington and charged with second-degree murder for the death of Marilyn Hickey of Bremerton, who died in 1992.
Boise Police had also named Miller as a suspect in the death of Cheryle Barratt in 1994 and charged him with second-degree murder in February.
A separate Washington judge sentenced Miller to the 205-month maximum, which will run consecutive to his sentence in Idaho.
“I cannot in good conscience follow the state recommendations,” said the Washington judge. “There’s nothing here that demonstrates true remorse, a true understanding of what you’ve done, no answers for the victim’s family no indication that you’ve truly changed.”
Miller will serve the 17-year Washington sentence after the 25-year Idaho sentence, making him 96-years-old before being eligible for release.
“I’m sorry for the pain I have caused the families from the things that I’ve done,” Miller said in court. “I don’t expect them to forgive me but would like them to know I’m sorry.”
Detectives in Boise and Washington were able to use DNA to match the suspect to the killings, police say.
The Idaho judge said this was a unique case and a sad case.
The Idaho judge said if he had been caught 25 years ago, he was likely looking at a fixed life sentence.
A civil judgment of $5,000 dollars was mentioned for counseling and other services for Barratt’s daughter.
