GALVESTON — The trial of James Elmore, who is charged with manslaughter in the death of Laura Miller in connection with the Texas Killing Fields case, began Tuesday.

The state delivered an opening statement, while the defense chose to forgo one.

Six witnesses then took the stand, including Detective Williams, Karey Dotson and Tim Miller.

Williams recounted multiple interviews he conducted with Elmore, including an audio interview lasting more than an hour and a video interview, both of which were played in court. During the interviews, Elmore discussed information related to the Laura Miller case.

Dotson testified about her own experiences involving Elmore and Clyde Hedrick, the man long suspected in Miller’s death. Dotson said she lived in the same bedroom Miller had previously occupied as a child and encountered the two men almost every day while walking home from softball practice.

Dotson testified that she was told over the phone that the men had killed before and that it would not be the last time.

Tim Miller, Laura Miller’s father, was the final witness to take the stand Tuesday. He recounted his decades-long experience with his daughter’s case and detailed years of communication with Elmore.

Miller testified that Elmore provided him with information about Laura and the case that was not publicly known at the time.

According to Miller’s testimony, Elmore reached out to him in 2022, saying he needed to get something off his chest regarding Laura’s case. Miller testified that Elmore took him to locations connected to the case, including where Laura’s body was found, Hedrick’s home and a location where Miller said Elmore told him Hedrick would watch Laura.

Miller said he directed Elmore to the FBI but remained in regular contact with him until early this year. Miller also testified that he gave Elmore approximately $33,000 as a reward for coming forward with information, despite believing some of the information Elmore provided implicated Elmore himself.

During an emotional moment on the witness stand, Miller turned toward Elmore and accused him of providing Hedrick with drugs that Miller believes ultimately led to Laura’s death.

“You handed (the drugs) to Clyde Hedrick! You… handed it… Damn you!” Miller shouted toward Elmore.

Court recessed around 5 p.m. and is scheduled to reconvene at 9 a.m. Wednesday, when an interview involving Miller and Elmore is expected to be played.

Miller testified that he did not watch the interview himself until two days before the trial began.