Murder suspect, victim had relationship

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October 28, 2009

By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG The Press Republican Wed Oct 28, 2009, 05:36 PM EDT

PLATTSBURGH — A local woman is now being held without bail, accused of killing Ravin Miller and then staging his death to look like a suicide.

Kathryn A. Shoemaker was taken into custody for second-degree murder Tuesday night, less than two days after State Police officially declared the 51-year-old contractor’s death a homicide.

Authorities believe Shoemaker, a 33-year-old mother of two, strangled Miller in his Route 11 home in Churubusco, where his father discovered him dead Aug. 20, the day after authorities believe he was killed.

Shoemaker was arraigned in Plattsburgh Town Court early Wednesday morning and has yet to enter a plea on the charge, which accuses her of intentionally causing the local landscaper’s death.

She is now being represented by attorney Allan Cruikshank and is due back in court at 4 p.m. today for an appearance.

After her arraignment, Shoemaker was sent to Clinton County Jail, where she declined a Press-Republican request for an interview Wednesday.

‘GREAT MOTHER’

As police continue to investigate the case against her, Shoemaker’s family is defending their loved one against the allegations.

“She is a very good, hard-working person, and she is a great mother,” said her younger sister, Carrie Mauer.

“She and Ravin were friends, and she wouldn’t have hurt him for anything. The only way she would have done anything is if she was defending herself.

“My sister is not malicious in any way, and this is so unjust what they’re saying about her. It’s just wrong.”

Mauer said her sister had returned to the area about five years ago from Pennsylvania so she could be closer to relatives.

She said the arrest has been extremely difficult for her family to accept.

RELATIONSHIP

Despite her family’s denial, authorities say Shoemaker confessed to killing Miller during interviews with police.

They say she and Miller had been involved in a romantic relationship and had eventually entered a financial arrangement for the purchase of expensive items, including vehicles and equipment.

It was those relationships that allegedly led to Miller’s death, law-enforcement officials said Wednesday, though they have declined to elaborate on the exact nature of the alleged financial agreements, citing the early stages of the criminal case.

INDICTMENTS SOUGHT

Clinton County District Attorney Andrew Wylie expects Shoemaker’s case will head to a grand jury within two weeks.

He said additional charges are possible.

Police spent much of Tuesday searching Shoemaker’s Chateaugay home and executed three additional search warrants Wednesday, when they processed her vehicle and nearby camp and an adjacent farm property.

Though the nearby farm was searched, State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation Capt. Robert LaFountain said adamantly that it does not mean the owners are connected with Miller’s death.

The Press-Republican learned that the property belongs to Shoemaker’s relatives.

EVIDENCE FOUND

LaFountain said the investigation has been complex but that as of Wednesday there were no additional suspects in Miller’s death.

“However, that could change as the investigation continues,” he said during an afternoon news conference at the District Attorney’s Office.

Authorities said evidence was secured during the searches but have declined to say what was found.

On Wednesday, Bureau of Criminal Investigation Lt. Brent Davison thanked the State Police personnel, including the Violent Crimes Investigation Unit, Forensic Identification Unit and uniform personnel, for their continued dedication to the investigation.

KNOWN IN COMMUNITY

Miller was well-known within the close-knit northern communities and was employed as an equipment operator for the Clinton County Highway Department at the time of his death. He also owned his own contracting business.

Miller was not married. He was the son of Veronica and Harold Miller.

Earlier this week, Mrs. Miller told the Press-Republican that the last two months have been difficult for her family, wondering how their loved one died.

“I tell you, it wasn’t easy. It’s hard to explain that it even happened or why. When you hear something like this, it’s hard to accept it.”

E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at:

avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com