Ex-Cop Found Guilty of Kidnap and Murder: Miles Bryant Sentenced to Life Without Parole

The trial of Miles Bryant, a former police officer accused of the kidnapping and murder of 16-year-old Susana Morales, came to a dramatic conclusion as the jury found him guilty after just six hours of deliberation. Bryant’s attorney, Tracy Drake, painted her client as “cold” and “callous” during her opening statements, warning the jury that they would not like him.

The prosecution presented evidence that linked Bryant to Morales’ disappearance, including cell phone records and the discovery of Morales’ remains seven months after she went missing. The Life 360 app on Morales’ phone pinpointed her last known location, while a gun registered to Bryant was found at the scene where her body was dumped in the woods.

Throughout the trial, emotional testimonies from Morales’ friends and family painted a picture of a vibrant and loving young girl who was taken too soon. Morales’ boyfriend described her as uplifting and kind to everyone, while Police Officer Xavier Biggers, who worked tirelessly to find her, broke down in tears on the stand, revealing his personal connection to the case as a father of a daughter the same age.

Bryant was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, but his lawyers have filed a motion for a new trial. The community continues to mourn the loss of Susana Morales and seek justice for her tragic death.