ROMEO, Mich. – A 32-year-old man will stand trial on charges including murder and kidnapping in the death of 14-year-old April Millsap of Armada.
James VanCallis Jr. is charged with first-degree murder, felony murder, kidnapping and assault with intent to commit sexual penetration in the July 24 death of Millsap.
After a hearing which started Monday morning and lasted into Tuesday afternoon, a judge ordered him to trial on all four charges. The judge cited evidence and testimony from witnesses who placed VanCallis at the scene of the murder.
Video: Judge orders man to trial for Armada teen's death
His next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 29 in circuit court.
VanCallis was named a person of interest in the Armada murder case on Aug. 19 when investigators released a sketch of a man who was seen in the area where Millsap was found.
Armada Police Chief Howard Smith said VanCallis hit Millsap with a motorcycle helmet and stomped on her near the Macomb Orchard Trail, which runs along the south edge of the village of Armada. Smith also said VanCallis intended to sexually assault her until he was interrupted by an eyewitness.
The chief said witnesses saw the 14-year-old girl walking her dog that evening along the trail. They also saw her talking to a man on a motorcycle.
The witnesses were able to describe the man they saw in the woods in detail.
Read: Details of April Millsap's death emerge
"I almost got kidnapped OMFG," reads a text message sent from Millsap's phone, presumably before she died.
Separately, after police executed a search warrant at his home, VanCallis pleaded guilty to marijuana charges and has been sentenced to a year in jail.
View: April Millsap homicide investigation timeline