True Crime All The Time – Episode Summary

Episode Title: James VanCallis
Release Date: March 3, 2025
Hosts: Mike Ferguson and Mike Gibson

Episode Overview

In this episode, Mike Ferguson and Mike Gibson examine the tragic 2014 murder of 14-year-old April Millsap in Armada, Michigan, and the subsequent conviction of James VanCallis. The discussion focuses on the investigation, the unusual role of technological evidence—specifically April’s fitness tracker—and the trial built primarily on circumstantial rather than forensic evidence. The hosts also reflect on the human impact for the victim’s family and the complexities of justice when physical evidence is scarce.

Key Topics and Discussion Points

1. Background of the Crime [04:59]

• April Millsap: A 14-year-old described as an animal lover, good student, and enthusiastic about German.
• The Crime: On July 24, 2014, April left to walk her dog on the Macomb Orchard Trail. She texted her boyfriend at 6:28pm:

  “I think I almost got kidnapped. Omfg.” – [08:56, Ferguson quoting April's text]

• Attack and Discovery: Moments later, she was attacked, beaten to death, and her body found in a drainage ditch by joggers led there by her dog. Evidence suggested sexual assault was attempted.
• Witness Accounts: Several people saw April interact with a man on a blue and white motorcycle before her murder and helped create a composite sketch.

2. Early Investigation and Arrests [13:22]

• Search warrants executed at a home in Wales Township led to the arrests of James Bernard VanCallis (father, a registered sex offender) and his son James Donald VanCallis, initially on drug charges.
• Neither was charged initially with the murder, but suspicion focused on James VanCallis (the son) due to witness descriptions and evidence linking him to the area.

3. Importance of Digital Footprints [05:48, 29:00-30:50]

• April’s fitness app and cellphone played a key role:

  • FBI Agent Matthew Zentz mapped April’s exact route, pinpointed where the attack happened, and traced her phone’s rapid transit (at approximately 30mph) after her death.
  • The location data aligned with witness timelines and surveillance footage of VanCallis on his motorcycle, reinforcing the prosecution’s case despite lacking DNA evidence.

  “You and I talk about it all the time. What type of digital footprint do we leave everywhere we go?... you have your phone with you. That thing is chock full of data.”
  — Mike Ferguson [05:47]

  “This is the type of technology that we have today... that is tracked on your cell phone, and it's quite a bit from location... There's just so many apps... that track our location, where we've been, where we are at any given point in time.”
  — Mike Ferguson [29:36]

4. Circumstantial Evidence & Lack of Forensics [40:27, 54:08]

• Key Evidence:

  • Eyewitness accounts connecting VanCallis to April on the trail.
  • April’s phone and fitness tracker data, which aligned with surveillance camera footage of VanCallis.
  • Shoe print analysis: Imprints consistent with Nike Jordan shoes that VanCallis was known to wear.
  • Testimony from VanCallis’s ex-girlfriend about his behavior (cleaning shoes with hand sanitizer at night, discarding clothes and shoes shortly after the murder).
  • Incriminating Google searches found on a family computer: “how to have sex with a girl,” “how to attract younger women,” etc.
  • A video discovered on VanCallis’s phone showing him covertly filming a 15-year-old girl while wearing the missing shoes.

• No Physical Forensic Evidence:

  • No DNA, fingerprints, or direct physical evidence linking VanCallis to April or the crime scene.
  • The absence was attributed to missing items (shoes, hoodie) and possibly VanCallis’s efforts to destroy evidence.

  “None of [the exhibits] are including, you know, some of the... bombshell type evidence to a jury. However, Van Callas was captured on camera... and witnesses were confident they saw him on the trail.” — Mike Ferguson [40:28]

  “If you're hitting someone with the type of force that we believe James was with a motorcycle helmet, that there would be blood flying, you would find some DNA on him.” — Mike Ferguson [36:23]

5. The Trial and Legal Strategies [51:06, 54:08]

• The defense’s strategy focused on the lack of direct evidence, questioning the reliability of witness testimonies and the accuracy of phone/APT data.
• No defense witnesses were called, and James VanCallis did not testify. The strategy relied on arguing the prosecution had not met its burden of proof.
• Prosecutors connected digital, circumstantial, and behavioral evidence, while appealing emotionally to the jury (“April could have been anybody’s daughter”).

6. Verdict, Sentencing, and Appeals [57:19-62:31]

• Outcome:

  • On February 8, 2016, James VanCallis was found guilty of first-degree murder, felony murder, kidnapping, and assault with intent to commit sexual penetration.
  • Sentenced to life in prison on March 30, 2016.

  “James, we love you. We’ll get you out. We will.” – Brenda VanCallis, James’s mother as he left court [60:44] “You, James, are a damn thief. You stole my beautiful daughter's life, and you stole the rest of mine.”
  — Jennifer Millsap, April’s mother, in her victim impact statement [59:10]

• Post-Trial:

  • VanCallis maintained his innocence, arguing no direct evidence tied him to the crime and appeals citing ineffective counsel were denied at multiple judicial levels.

Notable Quotes & Emotional Moments

• April’s chilling final message:

  “I think I almost got kidnapped. Omfg.”
  — April Millsap’s last text message [08:38]

• On the power of circumstantial evidence:

  “There was a lot of compelling circumstantial evidence that he and he alone was the person who had the opportunity to commit this crime.”
  — Mike Ferguson [62:33]

• April’s mother in court:

  “You, James, are a damn thief. You stole my beautiful daughter's life, and you stole the rest of mine. My life has totally changed since April was killed. My life will never be the same.”
  — Jennifer Millsap [59:10]

• On the limitations of forensic evidence:

  “They didn’t have all the forensic evidence, but they did have strong circumstantial evidence tying James VanCallis to the crime scene.”
  — Mike Ferguson [65:00]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [04:59] — Introduction to April Millsap & Case Background
• [08:38] — April’s last text, eyewitness accounts & body discovery
• [13:22] — Police focus on VanCallis & early arrests
• [29:00-30:50] — Explanation of the digital evidence (fitness tracker, phone data)
• [31:23] — Ex-girlfriend testimony, disappearance of key clothing items
• [36:23] — Debate about the lack of DNA or forensics
• [40:27] — Opening trial statements; Exhibit overview
• [54:08] — Shoe print analysis, lack of matching shoes, prosecution closing
• [57:19] — Guilty verdict & sentencing
• [59:10] — Victim impact statement by April’s mother
• [60:44] — VanCallis’s mother vocal in support after sentencing
• [62:13-63:50] — Discussion on appeals process and courtroom outcomes

Tone & Style

True Crime All The Time upholds a mix of gravity, empathy, and occasional levity (“You were the guy that people hired exactly when they needed protecting.” – Ferguson [07:34]), ensuring that while the crime’s seriousness and emotional impact are front and center, there is an accessible and conversational flow. The hosts’ personal musings and banter lighten the heavy content without trivializing the subject matter.

Conclusion

The episode underscores the tragic murder of April Millsap, the thoroughness of the investigation, and the modern role of digital evidence in criminal cases. The hosts highlight the intricacies and challenges of building a case with circumstantial, rather than forensic, proof, and the emotional devastation inflicted upon victims’ families. Listeners are left to ponder the meaning of justice, the reliability of circumstantial cases, and the lasting impact of violent crime.