Two Charged in 2001 Murder of Woodridge Man

DuPage County State’s Attorney Joseph E. Birkett and Woodridge Police Chief Steve Herron announced that two (2) people have been charged in connection with the April 3, 2001 shooting death of Ezra Harvey, 25 of Woodridge.  Terrance Miller, 28 (d.o.b. 7/03/76) of 168 Surrey in Glen Ellyn and Nicole Bowden, 22 (d.o.b. 1/31/82) of 446 Swordway in Bolingbrook have each been charged with three (3) counts of First Degree Murder and one (1) count of Armed Robbery.  Harvey’s murder had remained unsolved and was considered a “cold case” until a new lead surfaced in November of 2004.  It was then that a Woodridge Detective was contacted by a person with information regarding the murder.  Law enforcement followed up with those leads and continued with their investigation, which resulted in the State’s Attorney approving charges against Miller and Bowden on Saturday, January 22.

Miller and Bowden appeared yesterday in bond court before Judge Peter Dockery.  Judge Dockery ordered Miller held without bond and set Bowden’s bond at $2 million, 10% to apply.        

It has been alleged that during the early morning hours of April 3, 2001, Bowden contacted Ezra Harvey and arranged to meet with him at his Woodridge residence located at 7317 Woodward Avenue, Apartment #112.  Bowden and Miller are alleged to have arrived at Harvey’s residence after 4:00 a.m. that morning.  While in the apartment, the two defendants allegedly stole Harvey’s pager, cell phone as well as money.  Finally, during the incident Miller is alleged to have shot Harvey in the head with a handgun.  Later that morning, Harvey’s body was discovered by a maintenance worker of the apartment complex, who immediately contacted law enforcement authorities.

Woodridge Police began investigating the murder, following up on all leads until November of 2004.  At that time, new information was brought to their attention, and over the past two months those leads were investigated, resulting in charges of First Degree Murder and Armed Robbery being filed against Miller and Bowden.

“I am pleased to report that another cold case has been solved as a result of the efforts of the public and law enforcement working together,” commented State’s Attorney Birkett.  “After several years, two people now stand charged with this cold blooded murder.”

State’s Attorney Birkett praised the efforts of the Woodridge Police Department for their ongoing investigation of this murder.   In addition he thanked the U.S. Department of Justice - Department of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and Assistant State’s Attorney Bob Berlin for their outstanding assistance.

Miller and Bowden are next scheduled to appear in court on February 14th for arraignment at 9 a.m. in courtroom 4000 before Judge Ann Jorgensen.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.