The ex-girlfriend of Wales Township’s James VanCallis took the witness stand on Friday and stated evidence that can possibly lead to VanCallis’s conviction. Krystal Stadler dated VanCallis on and off for nine years. She told the Macomb County Circuit Court jury that she found hair and grass when she was washing VanCallis’ clothes a couple days after Milsap’s murder, but she never saw the clothes again after she placed them in the sink. She also testified she saw VanCallis cleaning the pair of Nike shoes, which he wore the day Milsap was murdered, with disinfectant. The shoes are also missing. Sadler told jurors that VanCallis didn’t tell her what he’d done but he approached her and said he “messed up” and needs her to stand by his side.
In July 2014, 14-year-old April Milsap’s body was found on the Macomb Orchard Trail. The medical examiner reported Milsap was killed from blunt head trauma and asphyxia secondary to neck compression. Police later accused James VanCallis of attacking Milsap with a motorcycle helmet then dragging her into the woods and stomping on her. A computer was later seized from VanCallis’ home that contained Internet searches, a couple months before Milsap’s disappearance, pertaining to sex with girls. The trial will resume next Tuesday. The prosecution is expected to complete its arguments by the end of next week.