Man Ordered Held Without Bond In Murder, Sex Assault Of Armada Teen April Millsap
ARMADA (WWJ) - The parents of a murdered 14-year-old girl sat in the front row, holding hands, while the man accused in her death appeared in court for an arraignment Thursday.
James VanCallis, 32, stood mute in 42-1 District Court as a not guilty plea was entered for him on with first-degree premeditated murder, felony murder and assault with intent to commit sexual penetration in the death of April Millsap last summer.
He was ordered held without bond, with the judge noting his lengthy misdemeanor criminal record.
Millsap was reported missing July 24 by her mother after she failed to return home from walking her dog, Penny, which she did nearly every night. Her body was found hours later in a drainage ditch along the Macomb Orchard Trail near Fulton and Depot roads in Armada. Penny alerted a couple of joggers to the girl's body.
Less than a month later, police named VanCallis — who was arrested alongside his father on drug charges after a search connected to the murder revealed an alleged marijuana growing operation at their home — as a person of interest in Millsap's death.
The charges against him in the murder case were announced Wednesday.
Millsap died of blunt head trauma and asphyxia due to neck compression, according to a medical examiner's report.
VanCallis faces life in prison if convicted on the first two counts. His mother and other family members declined to speak with reporters at the courthouse Thursday.
VanCallis will be back in court Nov. 13 for a pre-conference exam. Following that, a preliminary hearing is set for Dec. 15-16.
MORE: Murder Charges Filed In Death Of Armada Teen April Millsap