Fourteen-year-old Melodie Miller’s voice didn’t waver as she told a packed courthouse she heard muffled cries coming from her mother’s room the night she died.

Her mother, Mary Miller, a former KU librarian, was found dead the morning of July 28, 2004, at the Millers’ house in the 2100 block of Carolina Street. Mary Miller was in charge of technology at Watson Library.

Prosecutors presented their case against Mary Miller’s husband, Martin K. Miller, who was charged with the first-degree murder in yesterday’s preliminary hearing.

“I never heard her yell like that,” Melodie Miller said while testifying.

Melodie Miller was one of several witnesses called to testify.

Police officers, detectives, the couple’s 12-year-old son Matthew Miller, and a 54-year-old Eudora woman who said she had a four-year affair with Martin Miller all testified on behalf of the prosecution.

Melodie Miller testified she was going to check on her mother after she heard the scream, but returned to bed when she heard a male voice she assumed was her father’s saying everything was going to be OK.

“It was a very comforting voice,” she said.

Melodie Miller testified that she heard footsteps and saw a male who appeared to be her father walk past her room shortly after midnight.

She awoke to the sound of sirens at about 6:30 the next morning.

She walked into her mother’s room where she saw her mother lying in bed, surrounded by four police officers.

“When I saw her I knew she was dead,” Melodie Miller said.

As she left the stand, Melodie Miller didn’t appear to look at her father, who was seated at the defendant’s table. Martin Miller seemed as calm and collected as his daughter as she left the room.

Detective Jeff Cross, one of the officers who was on the scene when Mary Miller was found, interviewed Martin Miller that morning.

Cross presented material yesterday that he gathered from Martin Miller. Cross testified that Martin Miller told police he awoke in the living room about 6 a.m. to the sound of an alarm clock in his and his wife’s bedroom.

Around 2 a.m. he moved to a recliner to sleep because of head and back pain, Martin Miller told police.

Cross testified that Martin Miller said he didn’t hear any screams during the night.

Lawrence police arrested Martin Miller two days later on July 30 after an autopsy concluded Mary Miller died of strangulation.

Other evidence presented yesterday was a book found by Mary Miller’s bedside and explicit files found on Martin Miller’s computer.

The book, “Living with Your Husband’s Secret Wars,” discusses issues about sex addiction and infidelity.

Investigators also discovered a cache of 1,300 to 1,800 pornographic images on Martin Miller’s computer.

Judge Paula Martin decided there was enough evidence to proceed with a jury trial. Martin Miller’s trial is scheduled to begin June 13.

Cross testified that Martin Miller said he didn’t hear any screams during the night.

Lawrence police arrested Martin Miller two days later on July 30 after an autopsy concluded Mary Miller died of strangulation.

Other evidence presented yesterday was a book found by Mary Miller’s bedside and explicit files found on Martin Miller’s computer.

The book, “Living with Your Husband’s Secret Wars,” discusses issues about sex addiction and infidelity.

Investigators also discovered a cache of 1,300 to 1,800 pornographic images on Martin Miller’s computer.

Judge Paula Martin decided there was enough evidence to proceed with a jury trial. Martin Miller’s trial is scheduled to begin June 13.