The Menlo Park man accused of murdering two elderly men earlier this year was formally charged in court with their killings last week.
Charles Joseph Miller Jr., 23, has been charged with killing Edward "Red" Colley in Atherton July 19 and Vincent Damante in an unincorporated area near Menlo Park Jan. 11. Both men were 71. Police say robbery was the motive in both killings.
Miller was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, which means he could face the death penalty if he is convicted. He is also charged with five other felonies, including two counts of burglary, one count of robbery, and two weapons charges.
Miller's attorney, Gordon Rockhill, disputed news stories that reported Miller confessed the killings to the police. Miller has entered a not guilty plea to the charges against him.
"I've seen the police reports and there is no confession in any of the police reports," Rockhill said.
An affidavit filed by the San Mateo County Sheriff's Department claims that Miller told police that he committed both killings and that he acted alone in both cases.
Miller was arrested Sept. 20 at the Golden Gate Bridge. Police fear he may have been ready to commit suicide, and he was put on a suicide watch in jail.
Police have theorized that Miller killed the two men as part of robberies because he needed money to support his 2-year-old daughter.
Miller's earlier attorney, Robert Ippolito, said that Miller was "very distraught" because of the possibility that he might not see his daughter again.
After he was arrested and talked to police, Atherton Police Chief Steve Cader said, "He's certainly made some incriminating statements, but he hasn't made a full confession."
Miller will be in court again Jan. 22 for a preliminary hearing.
--Don Kazak
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