News Story - Idaho State Journal

jbulger@journalnet.com

POCATELLO -- The man who invaded a Hillview family's home and held the family hostage at gunpoint was sentenced to 28 years in prison Tuesday afternoon.

Dean C. Miller Jr., 40, entered the home of Robert and Ana Mandziara in the early morning hours of Sept. 24, 2007, taking a shotgun from the Mandziaras' closet. The couple awoke to find Miller pointing the shotgun at them. Miller threatened the couple and told them he was holding them until morning when he would have them withdraw bank funds.

Robert Mandziara was able to momentarily overcome Miller, allowing his wife to escape with one of their three children and seek help. Mandziara was also able to get away. The Mandziara's two other children slept through the incident.

A neighbor responded, armed with a pistol, and a standoff then occurred with the neighbor and Miller pointing their guns at one another until Miller dropped the shotgun, pulled a knife and threatened to take his own life.

Police were eventually able to distract Miller long enough to incapacitate him with a stun gun.

Miller's attorney, Keith Zollinger, praised Mandziara for instructing the neighbor not to shoot Miller, Mandziara having recognized his shotgun and believing it to be unloaded.

"Many people would have (shot him)," Zollinger said. "I think if I had the opportunity if I found someone in my home, I'd shoot him."

Zollinger told Sixth District Judge David C. Nye that Miller has suffered from severe bipolar disorder for most of his life, and that when he discontinued his drug regimen due to its adverse side effects and lax oversight, his symptoms returned. Zollinger said Miller began using methamphetamine again to self-medicate his symptoms.

"He went on a three-week runner," Zollinger said.

He described Miller's plight, running from a perceived threat of angry drug dealers and happening upon the Mandziara home during his drug-fueled flight through their neighborhood.

"When he's medicated, he's the kindest, gentlest man you'd ever meet," Zollinger said. "The Dean Miller here now, I'd be happy to have in my home, watching my children."

A childhood friend of Miller's testified on his behalf, and Miller's father apologized to the Mandziaras, who were seated at counsel's table with Bannock County Prosecutor Mark Hiedeman.

"I hope that after today you can get some closure," Dean Miller Sr. told them. "We are truly sorry."

Addressing Nye, the elder Miller said he believed that his son's story of being chased and that he was trying to protect himself when he broke into the home.

"I am certain he did not mean them harm," he said, but conceded his son's action did do harm to the family.

"I do believe Dean has to pay for what he's done," he said.

Evidence of Miller's mental illness did little to sway the Mandziaras' belief in his underlying criminal character.

"Today, I sit before you as Dean Miller's victim," said Ana Mandziara. "He didn't ruin my life, but he changed it."

She said she continues to suffer from nightmares and insomnia and is afraid to be alone or answer her door.

"I was afraid he was going to blow our heads off," she said. "He need to be locked up. I'm asking for the maximum sentence. I need a guarantee he won't do this again."

Robert Mandziara was equally forceful.

"I let him off easy because I did not shoot him," he said.

Miller said he believes Miller would have shot him and his family members if the shotgun had been loaded.

"I struggle every night," Mandziara said. "I have to set an alarm in my house every night. I check on my children twice a night."

He expressed disdain for Zollinger's recommendation of a five-year fixed sentence for Miller.

"We're not going to be over this in five years," he said.

Prosecutor Hiedeman asked Nye to sentence Miller to a 25-year fixed sentence with a lifetime indeterminate term.

"He's lucky he's not dead," Hiedeman said.

Miller addressed the Mandziaras, apologizing for the torment he caused them.

By John Bulger

This document was originally published online on Wednesday, October 01, 2008

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