**Tragedy and Advocacy: The Heartbreaking Story of Cassandra Tanner Miller and the Fight Against Cash Bail Reform**In a deeply emotional segment on Fox News’ “America’s Newsroom,” anchor Dana Perino interviewed Cassandra Tanner Miller, a mother whose life was irrevocably altered by a horrific act of domestic violence. Cassandra’s story is not just a personal tragedy; it raises critical questions about public safety, the justice system, and the implications of recent legislative changes in Illinois.
Cassandra’s ordeal began on September 19, 2019, when her estranged husband, Christopher Michael Miller, broke into their home in Joliet, Illinois. At the time, Christopher was out on an “I-bond,” a type of no-cash bail bond, while awaiting trial for three counts of aggravated felony battery. This detail is crucial, as it highlights the potential dangers of allowing individuals with violent histories to remain free before their court dates.
During the interview, Cassandra recounted the harrowing events of that day. She described how Christopher confronted her at the back door, asking chillingly, “Are you all ready to die?” What followed was a brutal assault. Cassandra was beaten and strangled, desperately trying to protect her children. She yelled for her nine-year-old daughter, Camryn, to retrieve her 18-month-old son, Colton, but Christopher blocked their escape.
In a moment of sheer horror, Christopher ascended the stairs, pulled out a gun, and fatally shot Colton ten times while he was napping. The tragedy did not end there; Christopher then turned his attention to Camryn, attempting to throw her over a second-floor railing. In a desperate act of bravery, Cassandra managed to crawl up the stairs, distracting her husband long enough for Camryn to escape.
Ultimately, Christopher turned the gun on himself, leaving Cassandra to grapple with the unimaginable loss of her son and the trauma of that day. The emotional weight of her story was palpable during the interview, prompting Perino to break down in tears, a rare moment of vulnerability for the seasoned journalist. “I don’t think I’ve ever cried on TV. That was really hard,” Perino admitted, underscoring the profound impact of Cassandra’s experience.
In the aftermath of this tragedy, Cassandra has become a vocal opponent of the cash bail reform championed by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. She met with the governor prior to the signing of the legislation, pleading with him to consider the implications for victims of domestic violence. “He absolutely let me down,” Cassandra stated, expressing her disappointment in the governor’s decision to push through the reforms without adequately addressing the concerns of victims like herself.
The new law, which makes Illinois the first state to eliminate cash bail, has sparked significant debate. Proponents argue that cash bail disproportionately affects marginalized communities, particularly people of color, who may lack the financial resources to post bond. However, critics, including Cassandra and various law enforcement officials, warn that the elimination of cash bail could endanger public safety by allowing potentially dangerous individuals to remain free while awaiting trial.
Cassandra’s story is a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding the issue of bail reform. While the intention behind eliminating cash bail is to create a more equitable justice system, the potential consequences for victims of domestic violence cannot be overlooked. As Cassandra poignantly stated, “He completely failed the entire domestic violence community.”
The emotional toll of her experience is compounded by the ongoing struggle for justice and safety for victims. Cassandra’s advocacy work aims to raise awareness about the dangers of domestic violence and the need for policies that prioritize the safety of victims. Her story resonates with many, highlighting the urgent need for a balanced approach to criminal justice reform—one that considers the rights of the accused while also protecting the most vulnerable members of society.
As Illinois moves forward with its cash bail reforms, the voices of victims like Cassandra Tanner Miller must be heard. Their experiences serve as a crucial reminder that behind every statistic and legislative change, there are real lives affected by the decisions made in the halls of power. The fight for justice and safety continues, and Cassandra’s courage in sharing her story is a powerful testament to the resilience of those who have faced unimaginable loss.
The heart-wrenching interview was conducted by Perino, 48, during Thursday’s edition of America’s Newsroom.
Perino was discussing Illinois Governor Jay Pritzker’s recent decision to end cash bail for pretrial detainees, before she conducted a remote interview with Cassandra Tanner Miller.
Cassandra told Perino that, in September 2019, her estranged husband, Christopher Michael Miller, broke into her home in Joliet, Illinois while he was out on an ‘I-bond’ while awaiting trial on three counts of aggravated felony battery.
‘For those that don’t know what an I-bond is, it’s a no cash bail bond,’ Cassandra explained.
Cassandra then horrifically recounted how she was brutally beaten by Christopher before he pulled out a gun and fatally shot their 18-month-old son ten times before turning the gun on himself.
Fox News anchor Dana Perino has broken down in tears following an interview with an Illinois woman whose 18-month-old son was shot dead by her estranged husband
Back in September 19, 18-month-old Colton Miller was shot dead by his father Christopher, who was out on an ‘I-bond’ at the time while awaiting a court appearance
On that fateful day, Cassandra was at home with baby Colton and her older child, nine-year-old daughter, Camryn.
‘I went into my kitchen and my estranged husband was standing at my back door,’ Cassandra began.
‘He said “Are you all ready to die?” He began punching me, beating me, strangling me over and over again,’ she stated.
‘I yelled to my daughter to go get my son and don’t stop for anything, but my estranged husband dragged me in front of the stairs [to the second floor] blocking any exit they would have had.
‘After he thought he killed me, he walked up the stairs pulled out a gun and asked my daughter if she was having fun yet.’
Cassandra went on to explained that her estranged spouse Christopher then shot Colton dead, before he attacked young Camryn and tried to throw her over a second floor railing.
At that point, Cassandra was able to crawl up the stairs and distract her husband, allowing her daughter to escape.
Christopher subsequently turned the gun on himself.
Cassandra told Perino that, in September 2019, her estranged husband, Christopher Michael Miller, broke into her home in Joliet, Illinois while he was out on an ‘I-bond’ while awaiting trial on three counts of aggravated felony battery. Cassandra and Christopher are pictured in happier times
Christopher killed his son, Colton, as he napped in an upstairs bedroom. The father and son are pictured together
Cassandra was brutally beaten by her estranged husband. She is pictured with injuries she sustained after the September 2019 tragedy
Cassandra has now become an outspoken opponent of eliminating cash bail, and met with Gov Pritzker urging him not to push through the legislation – which he eventually did this week.
‘He absolutely let me down. I made a plea to him prior to him signing this bill and to hold off and to actually think about victims,’ Cassandra stated.
‘He completely failed the entire domestic violence community,’ she added.
The harrowing story was too much for Perino to take, and her composure cracked after she ended the interview.
‘I don’t think I’ve ever cried on TV. That was really hard,’ Perino sobbed to Fox News colleague Trace Gallagher as she crossed to him at the conclusion of her program.
The harrowing story was too much for Perino to take, and her composure cracked after she ended the interview
‘I don’t think I’ve ever cried on TV. That was really hard,’ Perino sobbed to Fox News colleague Trace Gallagher as she crossed to him as she concluded her program
‘Her story is replicated [everywhere]’, Perino stated.
‘I understand that there is concern that cash bail has hurt segments of the population. There is concern that minorities are hurt more. But we have to think about these victims,’ she implored.
On Monday, Illinois’ Democratic Governor Pritzker signed sweeping reforms making Illinois the first state to end cash bail.
Some claim cash bail disproportionately effects people of color, as they are less likely to have access to money to post bond.
The law will not come into effect for several years but it has been slammed by Republicans and law enforcement officials .
‘The governor is willfully undermining public safety – endangering citizens, emboldening criminals,’ Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy said
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs a sweeping criminal justice reform bill into law during a ceremony at Chicago State University on the South Side, Monday
