Man found guilty in carjacking, acquitted of kidnapping

ST. LOUIS -- A man who said he didn't know a 4-year-old girl was inside a car when he shot the girl's father and stole his vehicle has been convicted of murder but acquitted of kidnapping.

Larry Miller, 22, of University City faces a possible five life terms in prison plus 15 years, when he is sentenced Feb. 3 for second-degree murder, robbery, assault and armed criminal action. The verdict was reached late Thursday.

Though a fleeing Miller fired at police over the head of the victim's daughter, Juprice Hester, he insisted he had not known the youngster was in the back seat. The child escaped serious injury.

Miller also insisted he shot the victim, Delvin Hester, in self-defense -- an assertion the jury rejected.

Hester, 22, of St. Louis, exchanged fire with Miller during the carjacking in a Ferguson parking lot last year, but did not hit him.

Police said a $3,400 set of custom wheels on Hester's 1985 Chevrolet Caprice drew Miller's attention on April 2 last year.

Hester had just bought eyeglasses for Juprice at the Central City Shopping Center near Interstate 270 when Miller approached with a gun.

Police who were working on a nearby drug case heard the shots and pursued Miller.

Miller hit a car where Interstate 55-70 joins Interstate 64. No one was badly hurt in the collision. Miller ran, and police shot him in the leg.