Judge orders murder trial for 2 men accused of stabbing Grand Valley State student adviser

Timothy J. Miller, Maceo L. Scott accused in death of 50-year-old Santiago Zapata

Published On: Oct 25 2012 06:28:27 AM EDT
Court gavel
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -

A judge has ordered two Grand Rapids men to stand trial on first-degree murder charges in the fatal stabbing of a longtime Grand Valley State University student adviser at his home.

Twenty-four-year-olds Timothy J. Miller and Maceo L. Scott are accused in the death of 50-year-old Santiago Zapata, who was found slain Sept. 25.

Police say the suspects both admit robbing Zapata, but each blames the other for killing him.

Grand Valley State University says Zapata was a 19-year employee with its education college.

Judge Benjamin Logan heard evidence in the case and ruled Wednesday that there's enough evidence for Miller and Scott to face trial. First-degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without possibility of parole.

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