“She’s off the trail, tucked back in the woods. Her clothes are all taken off.”
That is what witness Matthew Sadaj told 911 minutes after he found 14-year-old April Millsap's body along the Macomb Orchard Trail in July 2014.
The full call was played out in court Friday as part of the trial for James VanCallis, who is charged in the Armada teen's death.
Sadaj was not psychically in court due to a work conflict, but his interview with prosecutors was read verbatim to the court.
Millsap was walking her dog, Penny, along the trail when she was attacked.
Sadaj testified that he and his wife saw the dog on the trail alone, but they quickly passed out of fear it would bite them. Sadaj said he was on his way back when he noticed the dog "whimpering" by what looked like trash. He said it wasn't until he started walking toward it that he noticed shoes. He went on to tell the 911 operator that he didn't think she was breathing.
Prosecutors say VanCallis hit Millsap with a motorcycle helmet and tried to sexually assault her. He is charged with murder, kidnapping and attempted criminal sexual conduct. His attorney says there is no DNA evidence linking him to the crime.
Another witness, Eric Eschke, said he was biking with his two young daughters when he passed Millsap talking to a man on a motorcycle, or off-road bike.
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