Shooting suspect’s wife gets protective order

WINSLOW – A woman whose husband allegedly shot a sheriff’s deputy after she called for help has received a restraining order against him.

Heather Miller filed the handwritten request to protect herself a day after a Kennebec County deputy survived being shot in the chest.

The deputy was shot after he and another officer rapped on a sliding glass door to announce their presence.

The slug, fired from a 9 mm handgun, struck Deputy Chris Chase’s body armor inches from his throat on Aug. 4.

Police had been warned that the defendant, Bobby J. Miller, had been taking steroids, which can stimulate aggression in some people.

Miller, who also has been known in court documents as Bobby J. Scofield and Bobby J. Giroux, was arrested on charges of aggravated assault and reckless conduct. He faces an additional charge for allegedly assaulting his wife before officers arrived.

According to the court order filed by Heather Miller, Bobby Miller had been verbally abusing her for three years.

Augusta lawyer Ronald Bourget, who is representing Bobby Miller, said Friday he will try to get his client’s bail reduced next week. Miller currently is being held at the Kennebec County Jail in Augusta on $500,000 cash bond.

Bourget said Miller was having marital problems and was under financial stress at the time of the incident. According to court documents, Miller has more than 45 creditors who claim that he owes them nearly $700,000.