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Tensions continue to escalate between John-Paul Miller – founder of South Carolina-based Solid Rock Ministries – and protesters who have been gathering every Sunday at his church since the death of his estranged wife, Mica Francis Miller, five months ago.
As first reported by our media outlet, Mica’s body was found with a gunshot wound to the head at 4:23 p.m. EST on April 27, 2024 at North Carolina’s Lumber River State Park – a sprawling 14,000-acre wilderness straddling this scenic blackwater river. Mica traveled to this remote location from Myrtle Beach earlier that day, and her body was discovered by police in a swampy area approximately forty meters away from where spent shell casings and her belongings were recovered.
Mica’s death was officially ruled a suicide by North Carolina investigators and medical examiners, but the bizarre manner in which her husband announced her passing – and subsequent allegations of harassment and abuse against him leveled in multiple court filings – raised doubts and put him squarely in the public’s crosshairs.
Protesters were calling for Miller’s arrest this week after he was observed on video Sunday appearing to push James K. Bingham Jr. – a protester who dresses like Jesus. However, a police incident report (.pdf) obtained by this media outlet concluded Miller exercised minimal force “as opposed to offering or attempting to harm” Bingham.
“Jay the Jesus,” as he is known, was displeased.
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“We step on the grass, we go to jail,” Bingham said following Sunday’s service. “He pushes us, he goes free.”
The incident unfolded on Sunday as congregants were leaving church and protesters gathered at the parking lot exit to yell “Justice for Mica” and “walk away” as they departed. Protesters claimed Miller acted as though he was going to run one of them over with his vehicle as he exited the parking lot – although this alleged incitement was not fully captured on camera.
Several minutes later, Miller returned to the scene to talk to police. As he walked briskly from his truck to a police car, Bingham followed as closely as possible. After Bingham repeatedly positioned himself in Miller’s personal space, Miller jabbed him with his elbows attempting to shake Bingham loose before finally becoming so frustrated that Miller shoved Jesus as they approached a police cruiser parked in the street – in full view of the police, the protesters, and their cameras.
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“Protestors said that when JP was leaving, he revved his engine and pointed his truck toward a woman on the sidewalk,” one source alleged. “They said his truck nearly hit her, adding his truck hit the sidewalk by her so hard it left rubber marks up on the curb.”
“When they returned in JP’s truck, (he) got out and looked agitated,” the source continued. “He headed toward the police officer’s car and the Jesus Jay guy was already walking. JP seemed to start walking toward him and they both walked toward the police car. They said JP ‘elbow checked’ him a few times and then shoved him in the chest or face twice.”
It appeared to be the moment the protesters had been waiting for – and they gleefully proclaimed that Miller’s arrest was imminent. However, the police report said that Miller’s actions were intended to repel Bingham – not injure him.
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“Had this been the other way around you and I both know that the result would have been much different,” one source said.
Another complaint was filed with Myrtle Beach police on Sunday, as well. This one was made by Suzy Skinner, Miller’s alleged paramour. According to that document (.pdf), Skinner claimed protesters harassed her as she was leaving the church. Police concluded that the nine or ten seconds of comments were demeaning but not threatening.
Both reports indicated the two cases remain under investigation. Stay tuned to FITSNews for all the latest developments.
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THE INCIDENT REPORTS…
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
Callie Lyons is a journalist, researcher and author. Her 2007 book ‘Stain-Resistant, Nonstick, Waterproof and Lethal’ was the first to cover forever chemicals and their impact on communities – a story later told in the movie ‘Dark Waters.’ Her investigative work has been featured in media outlets, publications, and documentaries all over the world. Lyons also appears in ‘Citizen Sleuth’ – a 2023 documentary exploring the genre of true crime.
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