Bakersfield soldier accused of double murder to appear in court after year and a half
| Wednesday, Nov 25 2009 05:10 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Nov 25 2009 05:11 PM
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A Bakersfield servicewoman accused of murdering a couple and kidnapping their baby more than 19 months ago will have her first evidentiary hearing beginning Monday in Fort Lewis, Wa.
The hearing could lead to a recommendation that Army Specialist Ivette Davila be put to death for her crimes, the Army reported Wednesday. If she is convicted of murder, the least she could get is life in prison, the Army said.
Davila, 23, a 2003 graduate of West High School, was arrested on March 2, 2008 after the shooting deaths of Timothy Miller, 27, and his wife, Randi Miller, 25, in Parkland, Wa.
Davila spelled her first name as Yvette at West High School but is identified as Ivette in court documents.
Davila admitted killing the couple earlier that day, saying she was upset Randi Miller was having a romantic relationship with Davila's ex-boyfriend, according to court documents.
The documents give the following account: Davila allegedly shot the wife as she lay in bed, and then shot the husband as he showered.
Davila then took the couple's 6-month-old baby, Kassidy, to Home Depot, bought muriatic acid, put the couple's bodies in a bathtub and dumped the chemical on them.
She took the baby back to her barracks where she told another soldier what she did.
Authorities took the baby and put her in protective custody.
Since shortly after her arrest, she has been held in a Navy jail at Naval Base Kitsap Bangor west of Seattle. Fort Lewis is about 45 miles south of Seattle.
The news of her arrest came as a shock in Bakersfield. One of her West High teachers, Bill Parviainen has said she was a solid student, always nice and volunteered for several service projects.
The hearing on Monday is known as an Article 32 pretrial investigation. It is similar to a preliminary hearing in California where evidence is presented by both prosecution and defense attorneys.
The evidence will be reviewed by an investigating officer who will recommend if charges should proceed to a court martial -- the Army equivalent of a trial.
The officer will also recommend whether it is appropriate to seek the death penalty or life in prison. It could be several weeks before he announces his decision, Fort Lewis spokeswoman Catherine Caruso said.
The hearing is expected to take three days, Caruso said.
If convicted, in addition to the prison or death sentence, she would be dishonorably discharged, her rank would reduced to private and she would lose all pay and allowances.
