HELENA – The Montana Supreme Court affirmed the conviction of Jason Allen Miller for the attempted homicide more than three years ago of Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Lewis Johnson.

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced the ruling in a Sept. 3 news release. 

Miller attempted to mitigate his actions during a June 5, 2024 sentencing hearing in Lincoln County District Court when he spoke of his youth, being adopted, going to prison for drug use and learning from his birth mother that he was conceived of rape when she was 13.

“I can’t change what happened and my heart and apologies go out to Trooper Johnson,” Miller said. “I thank Jesus every day he’s alive, but I am not guilty of attempted murder or kidnapping. If I’d simply pulled over, he’d still be able to walk.”

But the career criminal didn't waste any time in filing an appeal of his April 2024 conviction for running over and seriously injuring Johnson in February 2023. Less than two months after his sentencing, Miller, via attorney Joseph Howard, filed a notice to appeal.

During the appeal, Miller argued that the district court abused its discretion by allowing law enforcement officers to attend trial in uniform, that Miller received ineffective assistance from his attorney and that the court abused its discretion by admitting a photograph of the crime scene. However, the court agreed with the Attorney General's Office that he received a fair trial.

Flathead County District Court Judge Danni Coffman, sitting in for Lincoln County Judge Matt Cuffe due to the fact he had overseen one of Miller's previous court cases, ruled that given the nature of the case and that the jury could have reasonably interpreted the officers’ presence as showing support for Johnson rather than as intimidation or a show of force.

“I am relieved and glad to report the Montana Supreme Court sided with us on this case. It is a testament to the great work of our Montana Department of Justice prosecutors and appellate lawyers,” Attorney General Knudsen said. “I hope this decision brings Trooper Johnson and his family some peace as they have shown incredible bravery throughout this entire process. Justice has been served.”

In June 2024, Miller was sentenced to life without parole after he was found guilty of five felonies: attempted deliberate homicide, criminal endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal possession of dangerous drugs and aggravated kidnapping. Miller also owes the Johnson family more than $75,000 in restitution and over $1.2 million to the state for Johnson’s care, treatment and trial expenses.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Thorin Geist and former Assistant Attorney General Selene Koepke. The state was represented on appeal by Assistant Attorney General Katie Schulz.

Information in Lincoln County court documents indicates Miller has stolen from his parents, neighbors and two local fire departments. Miller has served time in the Montana State Prison as well as various Department of Corrections facilities in the last two decades.