Jordan Miller charged with murdering teenage girlfriend Emerald Wardle in Metford home
Jordan Brodie Miller, charged with murdering his teenage girlfriend Emerald Wardle in their Metford home, repeatedly interjected with extraordinary outbursts during a hearing at Newcastle Bail Court.
Newcastle
Don't miss out on the headlines from Newcastle. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Alleged killer screamed of demons before teen’s death
- Glam couple behind bars, accused of organising robbery
A man charged with killing his teenage girlfriend has repeatedly told a court he was a murderer before continuing: “I wrapped my hands around Emerald Wardle’s throat’’.
MORE NEWS
Man charged with murder of love rival
Drugs, cash found in car as police investigation continues
Alleged syndicate behind 3-tonne drug haul smashed
In an extraordinary outburst via video link in Newcastle Bail Court on Sunday morning, Jordan Brodie Miller continued to speak over his legal aid solicitor Gillian Jewison’s pleas to be quiet.
“I am a murderer,’’ Miller said through the microphone. “I am a murderer.’’
Miller, 20, is accused by police of murdering his 18-year-old girlfriend Emerald Wardle early on Saturday morning at the Metford home they shared.
The university student was arrested outside the home following a short scuffle with police, with neighbours reporting that they heard a man screaming about “demons”.
Miller sat passively as his image was displayed on the court’s screen and his solicitor told the court that she wished to apply for a suppression order.
As registrar Steve Mannell told Ms Jewison that he did not believe he had the power to grant the order, Miller began to speak.
He told the court he was a murderer as Ms Jewison repeatedly told him that she was there to represent him and he should be quiet.
“I wrapped my hands around Emerald Wardle’s throat,’’ Miller told the court.
Shortly after, he added: “Emerald was lying down. We were in the bed.’’
Miller also told the court he had stolen Ms Wardle’s car on Thursday night, before he was again told to stop talking.
Miller repeatedly asked the court if he could say more and whether he had a legal right to speak.
An exchange between Ms Jewison and Mr Mannell followed before the registrar asked court staff to end the video link with Miller.
Ms Jewison then continued to apply for the suppression order, adding that the possibility of
Miller receiving a fair trial could be eroded if his outbursts were reported.
There were also concerns about Miller’s mental health, the court heard.
Those close to Ms Wardle expressed their heartbreak and fury as Miller faced court.
Ms Wardle’s aunt, Lyn Carter, said “a bright light went out” when her niece died.
“All I know is that my heart is broken into millions of pieces,” she wrote on Facebook.
“To think that you were so young and had your whole life ahead of you.”
“Rest in peace my beautiful girl, fly high and always remember that you are so loved and missed.”
One friend said Ms Wardle “deserved so much better”.
Another woman, who grew up close to Ms Wardle’s family, said she can’t believe someone “so kind and so pure” died in such a way.
“I wish there was something I could have done to have prevented it from happening,” she wrote.
“This is so heartbreaking and hits so close to home, and you deserve all the justice the world can give.”