I will unearth the truth, vows journalist's widow
NATHAN PYNN
Western Morning News, 26 July 2003
The widow of a Westcountry cameraman shot dead in the Gaza Strip three months ago yesterday vowed not to rest until she unearths the truth about his death. James Miller and a film crew were filming a documentary on the effects of conflict on children growing up in the Gaza Strip when he was hit by bullets fired by Israeli soldiers.
His widow, Sophy, from Braunton, has just returned from a five-day trip to Israel in a bid to find answers about why her husband was killed. She was accompanied by Mr Miller's family as well as their two young children, three-year-old Alexander, and eight-month-old Lottie.
Mrs Miller said she could not face going to the place her husband died but vowed to return one day.
"Since James' death the Israelis have made people going into the region sign waivers against prosecution if they come under fire. I did not feel that it was worth the risk to do that but when we get justice for James I will return to mark the spot."
An internal inquiry into the killing is being carried out by the Israel defence force and the findings of that, which are expected in the next three weeks, will determine whether criminal proceedings follow.
Mrs Miller says she is convinced her husband was "deliberately targeted" by the Israeli military.
"He was leaving a building holding a white flag. He was shining a light on the flag and shouting to the soldiers to let him pass. He walked towards them expecting them to behave properly but they didn't."
Despite Mr Miller and his colleague shouting "we are British journalists" and having TV written on their helmets, the Israeli soldiers opened fire. Mr Miller was shot in the throat and died almost immediately.
His wife recalls the last phone call she had from her husband just hours before his death. She said: "He had finished filming and was looking forward to coming home."
But Mr Miller and his crew decided to film that night after hearing that one of the people who had featured earlier in their documentary was having their home bulldozed. Mrs Miller next heard from her husband's colleague Saira Shah who called her in the middle of the night to tell her James was dead.
She says breaking the news of James' death to her young children was the hardest thing she had done. "Alexander just asked why - it was the first time he had ever asked that. I just had to say that Daddy was not coming home. I have always tried to be truthful with him and explain things to him in the simplest way I can."
She added that her children had given her "huge strength" and they were looking forward to moving into a new house in Braunton. "Before James died we had bought another house locally and were planning to move in this summer. We feel very much at home here, it is the life James wanted for Alexander and Lottie - I feel he (James) should have that."
A James Miller Memorial Fund has now been set up to help the family's legal case. To make a donation, call 01747 840844.