Execution pending for man convicted of killing motel clerk

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A man convicted of stabbing an Oklahoma City motel clerk and pouring acid on his face and down his throat maintains his innocence, his lawyer says. <br/><br/>George James Miller Jr.,

Sunday, May 8th 2005, 3:05 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A man convicted of stabbing an Oklahoma City motel clerk and pouring acid on his face and down his throat maintains his innocence, his lawyer says.

George James Miller Jr., 37, faces lethal injection Thursday at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.

An Oklahoma County jury convicted Miller of killing Kent Dodd, 25, during a Sept. 17, 1994, robbery.

Defense attorney Robert Jackson and his client dispute several pieces of evidence, including the prosecution's assessment that the victim traced the name ``Jay'' in his own blood before he died. Dodd knew Miller as Jay Elkins.

``There's not hard evidence that links Mr. Miller to this crime,'' Jackson said.

Prosecutors disagree.

A photograph of the disputed word, Jackson said, appears to be the signs of struggle _ not a message from a dying man.

``I've looked at those pictures for an awfully long time,'' he said. ``I don't see that it's really writing.''

Assistant Attorney General Robert Whittaker said jurors decided for themselves whether they could interpret the word ``Jay.''

``Either they saw it in there or they didn't,'' he said. ``That was not the only piece of evidence in there that pointed to Miller's guilt.''

Jackson said Miller was at the hotel the night before the crime but was too afraid to tell authorities because he was violating parole by using crack cocaine the night of the murder.

Whittaker said Miller was there the night of the crime.

Jackson also said another black male was seen at the motel the night of the murder but was never questioned. Whittaker said another suspect never was identified or suggested.

Miller has no outstanding appeals and may appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, Jackson said.