Children of shooting victim testify

BEATRICE – The daughter of a Beatrice man on trial for murder, gave emotional testimony Friday about the death of her mother, 53-year-old Tammy Leslie.

Christopher Milke is on trial in Gage County District Court…in alleged connection with the shooting death and faces other charges including kidnapping.

Madyson Milke, now 20-years-old, was aided by police as she and her brother, 11-year-old Jack, escaped from the home where their mother was found dead, early the morning of September 8th, 2024. Madyson testified that her mother and father had begun arguing in the months before her mother’s death and that she suspected him of cheating.

(Prosecutor Amanda Fanning).."How would you describe the relationship with your mom Tammy, growing up?...(Madyson)..."We had a great relationship. She was always there for me when I needed her....always taking me to doctors appointments...school....if I needed a ride...anything."

Madyson Milke testified to not being allowed to leave the house after she returned home through a garage door, early the morning of Tammy Leslie’s death….saying doors to the home had been nailed or screwed shut. She said she and her brother were instructed not to call or text anyone. Upon questioning from Gage County Attorney Amanda Fanning, Madyson said she and her brother were in the living room with Christopher Milke when he told her he had killed her mother…and asked for Madyson’s phone.

"He kept asking me over-and-over to shoot him...to wrap it up in a blanket, and just do it....over and over again. (Fanning) "Where was he, in relation to you, when that was taking place?"...(Madyson)..."He was diagonal from me"....(Fanning).."At any point did he get up and try to give you the gun?" (Madyson)..."No." (Fanning)..."From where he was sitting, he was saying, shoot me?"..(Madyson).."Yes".....(Fanning)..."and did he give you any other instructions when he asked you to do that?"....(Madyson)..."No, just to wrap it up in a blanket and do it"...(Fanning)..."How did you respond"?..(Madyson)..."I told him no....to put it away."

Madyson Milke retrieved her phone after her father fell asleep, later taking it to her basement bedroom.

(Fanning)..."Did you think about getting up and leaving, or trying to leave, at that point?...(Madyson)..."I wanted to, but I knew that I couldn't"...(Fanning)..."Why not?"...(Madyson)..."The door was nailed shut, but I was also scared that I was going to be shot, myself."

After texting and using Snapchat to communicate with an ex-boyfriend, his mother….a dispatcher and police….A police SWAT team at around six-30 a.m., broke through the front door and safely removed Madyson and Jack 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.

Madyson Milke also testified about an earlier incident in which her dad allegedly fired a round from a handgun inside the house….on June 10th, of 2024…..which she testified her father described, as an accident.

Seventh grader Jack Milke, who will turn 13 this month, also testified with prosecutor Michael Jensen asking questions. The youth testified he heard shots following an argument between his parents, the early morning of September 8th, 2024.

(Jensen)...."Do you remember hearing shots?"...(Jack)..."Yeah"....(Jensen)..."Where were you when you heard the shots?"....(Jack)..."I was in the hallway"...(Jensen).."you were in the hallway?"..do you remember how many shots you heard?...(Jack)..."three or four".

Also testifying was a former boyfriend of Madyson Milke and his mother….who had contacted police. Called back to the stand was Beatrice Police investigator….Sergeant Erin Byrne….testifying to the location of various pieces of evidence police collected at the scene.

Testimony resumes Monday, at 8:30 a.m. It’s estimated that trial evidence could be wrapped up by Thursday, at which time the jury would begin deliberations.