Perrysburg youth charged with murder will remain in custody

Police charged 16-year-old Tyler Miller with aggravated murder in the death of 19-year-old Amonie Ervin.

By Kate Snyder / The Blade
Sun, 01 Dec 2019 23:58:46 GMT

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BOWLING GREEN — Nearly everyone in the courtroom agreed that a Perrysburg teenager facing an aggravated murder charge should not be released from custody, including the teen’s family members and the teen himself.

Tyler Miller, 16, appeared Monday afternoon in Wood County Juvenile Court for a detention hearing. The charge against him stems from the death of 19-year-old Amonie Ervin, who was found Friday afternoon at a home in Perrysburg with multiple stab wounds.

During the Miller youth’s hearing on Monday, Judge David Woessner gave members of the boy’s family an opportunity to make a statement regarding his potential release. His family, who declined to comment for the story, told the judge that the teen needed help with his mental health and that he should stay where he is.

When Judge Woessner gave the teen the same opportunity to make a statement, he echoed part of his family’s sentiments.

“I should definitely be here,” the youth said.

Charles Bergman, chief assistant Wood County prosecutor for the juvenile division, said in court that the teen, while in custody, was overheard making additional threats against another person, saying that person would be next.

The teen also told the judge that he did not want an attorney and instead wanted to represent himself.

Jeffrey Nunnari, who was appointed to represent the teen for Monday’s hearing, said in court that his desire to represent himself would likely not go well. Mr. Nunnari pointed out that the boy is 16 years old, hasn’t graduated high school, and has no clue what the legal rules and procedures are.

“That’s always a bad idea,” Mr. Nunnari said about self-representation. “I think it would behoove him to accept the assistance of counsel.”

Mr. Nunnari also declined to comment after the hearing.

A probable cause hearing is scheduled for Dec. 10. Judge Woessner noted that the charge carries a mandatory bind over, meaning that if probable cause is found, the teen will be transferred to adult court.

Officers responded at about 4 p.m. Friday to a home in the 500 block of Tonbridge Court and found Mr. Ervin on the ground outside with multiple stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Perrysburg officials have not hinted at a potential motive but said in a news release that the killing did not appear to be random. 

Dr. Jeffrey Hudson, a Lucas County deputy coroner, conducted an autopsy on Sunday. He said he believes a kitchen knife — such as a steak knife — was used to inflict 20 to 25 “sharp force injuries” to Mr. Ervin’s head, neck, chest, arms, and hands. Mr. Ervin’s heart and lungs, as well as some major blood vessels, were also injured in the attack, Dr. Hudson added. Toxicology results are pending.


Tyler Miller, 16 of Perrysburg, who is charged with aggravated murder in the stabbing death of 19-year-old Amonie Ervin of Toledo, appears before Judge David Woessner, not pictured, during his hearing in Wood County Juvenile Court on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019.


Judge David Woessner is on the bench during the hearing of Tyler Miller, 16 of Perrysburg, not pictured, who is charged with aggravated murder in the stabbing death of 19-year-old Amonie Ervin of Toledo, in Wood County Juvenile Court on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019.


Tyler Miller, 16 of Perrysburg, right, who is charged with aggravated murder in the stabbing death of 19-year-old Amonie Ervin of Toledo, appears before Judge David Woessner, not pictured, during his hearing in Wood County Juvenile Court on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019.


Tyler Miller, 16 of Perrysburg, right, who is charged with aggravated murder in the stabbing death of 19-year-old Amonie Ervin of Toledo, appears before Judge David Woessner, not pictured, during his hearing in Wood County Juvenile Court on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019.


Attorney Jeffrey Nunnari, left, appears with Tyler Miller, right, 16 of Perrysburg, during his hearing in Wood County Juvenile Court on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019. Miller is charged with aggravated murder in the stabbing death of 19-year-old Amonie Ervin of Toledo.


Tyler Miller, 16 of Perrysburg, who is charged with aggravated murder in the stabbing death of 19-year-old Amonie Ervin of Toledo, appears before Judge David Woessner, not pictured, during his hearing in Wood County Juvenile Court on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019.


Perrysburg home where on Friday, 19-year-old Amonie Ervin of Toledo, was stabbed to death, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019.

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