Woman gets 6 years for moving body

MUNCIE – A Muncie woman who helped a killer move his victim’s remains was sentenced to six years in prison Monday.

A Delaware Circuit Court 3 jury on Sept. 25 found Regina Nicole Miller, 40, guilty of assisting a criminal and obstruction of justice.

Testimony indicated Miller helped Terry Rutledge – who had strangled Tonia Ingram – remove the victim’s body from the basement of Miller’s North Hackley Street home on Dec. 3, 2011.

The 40-year-old Muncie woman’s remains were found, burning, along an eastside street that morning.

“I never meant (Ingram) any disrespect,” a tearful Miller told the victim's family at Monday’s hearing. “I am ashamed and disgusted to be associated with what happened to her.”

The victim’s mother, Nancy Wilson, told Judge Linda Ralu Wolfe that “nothing will bring my daughter back.”

“But justice needs to be accomplished,” she added.

Tonia Ingram’s sister, Tammy, described the victim as a “kind, caring (and) very non-violent person.”

Public defender Brandon Murphy noted his client had no prior felony convictions, and had provided police with the information needed to arrest Rutledge, who is now serving a 65-year sentence.

He recommended Miller – who told police she helped Rutledge because she feared he might harm her or her children – be placed on home detention for two years, followed by two years on probation.

Deputy Prosecutor Zach Craig called Miller a “thug,” and asked Judge Wolf to impose a maximum 10-year sentence.

“There’s nothing about this case that isn’t revolting, and that includes the entirety of Regina Miller’s acts,” she said.

Wolf imposed sentences of six years and 18 months, respectively, and ruled the prison terms would be served at the same time.

The victim’s family “suffers the loss of Tonia every day,” the judge said.

“And they will for the rest of their lives.”

Contact news reporter Douglas Walker at (765) 213-5851. You can also follow him on Twitter @DouglasWalkerSP.