Man charged with second-degree murder in 2014 Calgary death

Calgary police have charged a 28-year-old man with second-degree murder in a 2014 death only recently ruled a homicide.

Joshua Michael Anthony Mills was arrested Friday in Edmonton. He was charged on the weekend, the police service announced Monday afternoon.

More than three years ago, Douglas Miller's frozen body was found by a passerby near a parking lot in the 5900 block of Madigan Drive N.E., in the Calgary community of Marlborough Park.He was 41.

Miller's death was ruled a homicide in February.

Tips from the public helped

That month, the Calgary Police Service released surveillance camera images showing someone officers believed hadinformation about what happened. Tips came in from the public and led to police finding the person in the photos.

Police determined that person wasn't of interest but they were led to the accused by various investigative leads.

Miller's family hasasked Calgary police to withhold details of what investigators believed happened to their loved one that night, until the case goes to court.

Staff Sgt. Martin Schiavettaof the Calgary police homicide unit said officers believe Mills and Miller knew each other and both lived in the area where Miller was found.

"The suspect has strong ties to Calgary. I can say this was a targeted attack on our victim."

Recently acquitted of manslaughter

Mills was acquitted of manslaughter in another Calgary case in February.

At trial, defence lawyer RebeccaSnukalargued Mills stabbed an attacker out of self-defence.

In 2016, a mantried to to take Mills' bag. The bag held his son's baby blanket, so herefused to give it up.

The man beat and kicked Mills. Mills then stabbed the man, whodied weeks later in the hospital.

Second suspect

Schiavettasaid a second suspect was identified during the investigation but that personhas since died.

"There was another suspect present during this homicide," he said. "That person has become deceased through a non criminal matter."

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