Mica Francis died trying to leave John Paul Miller. She documented what was happening to her, called the Police at least 14 times, retained an attorney and filed for divorce. Less than a day after Mica’s death, John-Paul Miller stood before his congregation and announced her death, while simultaneously shaping a narrative about Mica and her mental health. Serious alarm bells went off for both Laura and award-winning investigative journalist and NewsNation correspondent, Rich McHugh.
Former NBC investigative producer Rich McHugh, working with Ronan Farrow, exposed Harvey Weinstein at great personal and professional cost. You will hear more about that in this episode as well as how Rich quickly gained the trust of Mica’s family and ultimately secured an extraordinary sit-down interview with John-Paul Miller in July 2024.
In this episode you will learn:
How Rich’s previous investigations into Harvey Weinstein and Hillsong influenced his response when Mica’s story first emerged
Why victim-centred reporting matters and how Rich approached Mica’s family
The starkly different narratives Rich heard from Mica’s family and John-Paul Miller
How Rich secured the interview with Miller after months of communication
What Miller sent Rich privately before the interview
Why Rich decided to let Miller talk rather than begin with confrontational questions
What Rich noticed about Miller before he had even asked his first question
Why Miller may have wanted to speak publicly and control the narrative
Laura’s behavioural analysis of key moments during the interview
What happened when Rich asked Miller whether he felt partly responsible
The anger Rich believed he detected beneath Miller’s response
Miller’s claims about Mica’s mental health and why it matters who controls the narrative when a victim can no longer speak for herself
Mica’s efforts to separate, seek help and regain control of her life
The failures and gaps in protection surrounding coercive control, stalking and post-separation abuse
Why, despite doing so much to try to protect herself, Mica was still left without the safety she was seeking
This is Part 1 of Laura’s interview with Rich McHugh. The conversation continues in Part 2.
TAKE ACTION: Mica’s Law -Coercive Control and Stalking Laws in South Carolina
You can contact South Carolina lawmakers and ask them to support stronger legal recognition and protection for victims experiencing coercive control, stalking and post-separation abuse.
Full action links, letter template and resources are available in the Crime Analyst Squad.
Watch The Death of the Pastor’s Wife
More from Investigative Correspondent Rich McHugh Twitter: richmchugh
Insta: richmchughnews
Tiktok @richmchugh
Crime Analyst Coverage Crime Analyst: Mica Francis Series Mica Francis: Breaking Down the Federal Charges Against JP Miller with Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell Huge News in Mica Francis’ Case. John Paul Miller Has Been Indicted Finally…
#MicaFrancis #MicaMiller #JusticeForMica #CrimeAnalyst #HarveyWeinstein #CoerciveControl #Stalking #DomesticAbuse #PostSeparationAbuse #SexualCoercion #EconomicAbuse #MicasList #ThePreachersWife #Femicide #DomesticViolence #PowerAndControl #AbuseIsAPattern #JohnPaulMiller #JPMiller #RichMcHugh #InvestigativeJournalism #LauraRichards #BehaviouralAnalysis #ExpertAnalysis #TrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #VictimCenteredReporting #NewsNation
Clip https://www.instagram.com/reel/DczwA3LuSA9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&stkn=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Sources
Rich
McHugh and JP Miller interview
Watch The Death of the Pastor’s Wife
https://www.abcnews4.com/newsletter-daily/mica-millers-family-press-conference-suicide-lumber-river-state-park-robeson-county-death-investigation-fbi-john-paul-pastor-solid-rock-church-estate-documents-abuse-hide-assets-sierra-nathaniel-francis-911-call-security-footage-timeline
https://www.facebook.com/therobbieharvey/posts/heres-the-full-text-exchange-between-charlotte-mica-miller-and-john-paul-miller-/484282057505382/
Link to Cross Over episode with Mandy and Laura on Cup of Justice Ep #86:
Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coj-86-crime-analyst-expert-laura-richards-joins-mandy/id1668668400?i=1000659373717
Spotify Link
https://open.spotify.com/episode/10P6t5LmMxF3YHUdgxPcm9?si=e3832e105dc1430d
Links to Episodes about Mica Francis Mica Francis separated from John Paul Miller. She was desperate for help.. Mica Francis: Have you heard the term coercive control?
Ep 303: Mica Francis: Analyzing the Federal Charges Against John Paul Miller with Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell
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