John-Paul Miller faces Mica Miller protesters. SC pastor seemed unprepared for court
A judge Wednesday denied restraining orders filed by John-Paul Miller against protesters who have appeared outside the pastor’s Myrtle Beach church following the death of his wife, Mica Miller.
Miller, who represented himself, called his girlfriend and father to testify in court in an effort to obtain restraining orders against Melissa Pfeiffer, Alexandra Cuozzo and Sandra Caron. The judge denied the orders, stating the Myrtle Beach pastor did not show sufficient evidence and used biased witnesses.
Miller agreed to drop a fourth restraining order against Kelly O’Hearn as the two parties came to an agreement.
John-Paul Miller has been in the middle of controversy since his wife, Mica Miller, committed suicide in late April 2024. Following her death, John-Paul Miller has been accused of abusing his wife, a claim he denies. A group of “Justice for Mica” supporters began protesting outside Solid Rock Church in May and have not stopped.
Pfeiffer, Cuozzo and Caron are three of many protesters facing restraining orders and lawsuits by Miller. He filed over 20 court actions against various Justice for Mica protesters in January. He said he will continue to file lawsuits until the protesters stop. Reginald Wayne Miller, Miller’s father, and church members have also filed court actions.
Before Wednesday’s hearing, at least six other lawsuits filed by Miller had been dismissed.
“We expected it,” said Cuozzo when asked how she feels about the judge’s decision.
Miller declined to comment after leaving the Myrtle Beach court.
The pastor represented himself and appeared ill-prepared and confused about the court proceedings. Multiple times Miller asked the judge for help, with the judge replying that he could not assist and that Miller had ample time to hire a lawyer or find legal counsel.
Miller called 10 witnesses to the stand, most of which were members of his church. He also had his father, Reginald Wayne Miller, and girlfriend, Susie Skinner, testify.
Majority of the witnesses could not recall definitive details about interactions Miller had with the defendants, instead speaking about more their personal experiences with the protesters.
“This is America, not Saudi Arabia,” Miller said during court when speaking about the protesters. “This shouldn’t be allowed.”
Following court, Cuozzo said Justice for Mica supporters will continue to protest outside the church.
The court hearing on Wednesday happened one day after a lawsuit was filed against Miller alleging he raped a 15-year-old in 1998 and then sexually assaulted her in 2023, The Sun News reported. Miller also declined to comment on this lawsuit.
What has happened since Mica Miller’s death?
Mica Miller committed suicide on April 27, according to North Carolina officials. In May, Robeson County Sheriff’s Office released a video of her buying a gun before driving from Myrtle Beach to a North Carolina state park. There, she called 911 and told them she was planning to kill herself.
Her body was found in the state park. Her death has become a national conversation topic, with people taking to social media about her death, using the #JusticeForMica.
John-Paul Miller has been accused have an abusive relationship with his wife, Mica Miller.
Mica Miller had filed for separation from her husband multiple times before her death. At the time of her death, the couple were estranged. Mica Miller struggled with mental illness, according to her husband.
In November, the FBI searched John-Paul Miller’s Myrtle Beach home for reasons that remain unknown. The Sun News requested the incident report but have not received it as of Feb. 26.
Later in the month, Solid Rock Church closed. Miller opened Mercy Church near the end of 2024.
In addition, John-Paul Miller was arrested for third-degree assault in November after an argument with one of the many protesters outside his church.
