A South Carolina man has pleaded guilty to the kidnapping, rape and brutal death of a young store clerk in Chesterfield County the day after Christmas 2011.
Authorities say 23-year-old Nicholas Miller followed and chased 30-year-old Hope Melton, finally forcing her car off the road and kidnapped her shortly after she left a convenience store in Jefferson.
Miller pleaded guilty in the case on Wednesday and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
It was a very emotional court room scene as several family members read victim impact statements to the judge.
Deputies said that Miller sexually attacked Melton several times and drove her around in his car for more than an hour.
Police say Miller then assaulted Melton and beat her to death with a bat over the line in Kershaw County.
Melton was killed just 3 weeks after her 30th birthday.
Surveillance video from a convenience store Melton visited helped to tie Miller to the case.
Melton was married in Sept. 2010 and, was an Honor graduate of Chesterfield High School Class of 2000.
She was manager of T &T Country Store in McBee, SC. She attended Lancaster Church of God, where she taught Children’s Church.
“Hope was an avid home decorator, enjoyed walking and shopping, and was learning to be a ‘cowgirl.’ Her favorite color was pink,” her obituary said.
“She was a true people person and shared her “sweet smile” with everyone,” according to her obituary.
