A Westmoreland County judge on Friday set a $500,000 straight cash bond for a former Ohio man charged in connection with an alleged shooting two years ago in New Kensington.
Iven Cashua Miller Jr., 37, who was previously identified as being from Cleveland and now lists a New Kensington address, has been in jail since he was arrested last May. He was on the run for nearly a year after allegations surfaced in which he was accused of firing multiple shots at two women in a New Kensington alley. Police said the incident occurred following a prior confrontation in Arnold.
Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Mears said Miller’s history of prior drug and gun convictions as well as his fugitive status for the 11 months that followed the alleged shooting warranted a high bond. A trial has not been scheduled.
The judge ordered Miller serve on house arrest if he is able make bail.
Police claim two witnesses identified Miller as the man who fired shots at them on June 25, 2023. No one was injured in the shooting, according to authorities.
New Kensington Detective Matthew Saxton testified during Friday’s bond hearing the alleged victims identified Miller as the man who shot at them. Saxton said that Miller’s DNA was found on the gun suspected as being used in the shooting. That evidence was the basis for the criminal charges. No spent shell casings or indications of gunfire were found at the alleged shooting scene, Saxton said.
The gun was turned over to investigators by Miller’s girlfriend, according to police.
Assistant Public Defender James Spriestersbach argued the case against Miller cannot be supported by the evidence.
“This is the thinnest version of evidence, the lowest echelon of evidence I’ve seen,” Spriestersbach said.
Miller is awaiting trial on two counts of each of attempted murder, aggravated assault, simple assault, illegal possession of a firearm and strangulation.
He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted, prosecutors said.
“Mr. Miller was unable to be found by the New Kensington police department … for over a year. When he was attempted to be intercepted by police he fled,” said Assistant District Attorney Krista Koontz.
Miller is also charged in Allegheny County with attempting to flee from police related to his eventual capture last May in Brackenridge.
According to court records, Miller, who had avoided arrest for nearly a year, was spotted at a bar and attempted to run from the scene. After a search by police from multiple departments using a drone and dogs, Miller was found hiding in weeds behind a home.