Life Prison Term, for Christopher Milke

BEATRICE - The sentence for 53-year-old Christopher Milke, of Beatrice is life in prison, for the September, 2024 murder of his companion, Tammy Leslie. Milke was found guilty by a Gage County District Court Jury in a trial that ended February 11th, with guilty verdicts for first-degree murder, use of a firearm to commit a felony, kidnapping, false imprisonment and tampering with evidence.

Assistant State Attorney General Michael Jensen said Milke has never taken responsibility for his crimes, nor recognized his children were victims.

"I've done this job long enough to know that I guess maybe defendants have to come up with an alternate version of reality in order to live with themselves. But, I hope this court....and I know this court, was paying attention throughout trial....and this court knows precisely, what happened throughout that day."

Both Madyson and Jack Milke testified at trial, and during the sentencing, Madyson gave an emotional victim statement to the court.

"Your honor, I'm here today because my mother no longer has a voice, so I will speak for her. She cannot tell you what she went through...the years of abuse, the fear, the sadness, and finally the terror in her last moments. She cannot ask for justice, but I can. And, I'm asking this court with everything that I have, please do not show mercy to the man who showed none, to her. He made a decision with full awareness. He chose violence. He chose to destroy our mother, our family...and our lives. He did not care then, he does not care, now."

Christopher Milke was defiant when asked by the judge if he had anything to say prior to sentencing….adding, quote, “it wasn’t murder”.

"There wasn't anything that you let in to my evidence. I didn't get to see any videos, I didn't have any access to any videos. I didn't have to show any of my videos, I didn't get to call any of my witnesses. There wasn't anything fair, about this trial."

Milke interrupted as the judge was describing the case and then issued consecutive sentences.

"This isn't a whodunnit. Mr. Milke...it's a youdunnit. (Milke)..."I never said it was..it was self defense. If you can't see that, you shouldn't be a judge and they shouldn't be a prosecutor. (Schreiner)..I gave you an opportunity to say whatever you wanted to say....now it's my turn. (Milke)...Go ahead. (Schreiner)...I'm going to. (Milke)...Have at it. (Schreiner)...Here's the truth. September 8th, 2024 you backed Tammy Leslie into a corner and shot here in the face. And that wasn't good enough for you. You continued to fire at her, as she fell to the floor probably lifeless...your last shot impacted inches above the floor. This was cold-blooded, premeditated murder. You thought about killing her for months, and then you acted on those thoughts...I finally killed somebody. You did nothing to render aid after you shot her. You left her as she lay, because you wanted her dead."

During the victim statement, Judge Schreiner said he saw Christopher Milke smiling, chuckling and shaking his head at his daughter. The judge said he had never seen a defendant have so much fun at a murder trial and be so disrespectful of the victims.

"Tammy's children will never draw another breath free from the consequences of your actions. They will live with your choices and actions for the rest of their lives. And you sir, will live with this for the rest of your life, as well. Your ability to victimize and terrorize Tammy's children and anyone else ends today....it ends now, and it ends for eternity."

Madyson Milke and her brother, Jack were rescued from the home where their mother was found dead, early the morning of September 8th, 2024.  

After texting and using Snapchat to communicate with an ex-boyfriend, his mother, a dispatcher and police….A SWAT team at around six-30 a.m., broke through the front door and safely removed the children from the home, arresting Christopher Milke as he came out of a bedroom. Tammy Leslie was found dead in the couple’s bedroom, of gunshot wounds.

Doors to the home had been nailed or screwed shut. The daughter said she and her brother were instructed by Milke not to call or text anyone.

The Chief prosecutor lauded the heroic efforts of police, which he said prevented an already tragic incident, from being even worse.