Christina Hall, Gannett Michigan

April Millsap may have thought she had escaped the clutches of a man on a motorcycle who accosted her in July on a popular walking trail in the small, northern Macomb County village of Armada.

"I almost got kidnapped OMFG," the 14-year-old texted at 6:28 p.m. July 24.

Moments later, police say, the teen was ambushed from behind by an assailant using a motorcycle helmet as a weapon. She was taken into a wooded area, where she was beaten and stomped to death during a failed attempt to rape her.

Those horrific details emerged this week as authorities charged 32-year-old James D. VanCallis with April's murder July 24 near the Macomb Orchard Trail in Armada.

VanCallis, who lives in Wales Township in St. Clair County, was ordered held without bond during arraignment today before Judge Denis LeDuc in 42-1 District Court in Romeo. He stood mute and a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf on the charges of first-degree (premeditated) murder and felony murder, which both carry life sentences, and assault with intent to commit sexual penetration, which is a 10-year felony.

A pre-exam conference is set for Nov. 13. The preliminary examination — at which a judge will decide if there is enough evidence to send VanCallis to trial — is expected to take two days and is set for Dec. 15 and 16.

VanCallis' attorney, Dean Ankouny, said today that his client maintains his innocence and that he had not yet seen the evidence in the case.

But Armada Police Chief Howard Smith testified during a proceeding before LeDuc on Wednesday requesting the warrants be authorized that VanCallis was the man who stalked and murdered Millsap. VanCallis has long been named as a person of interest in the case and has been jailed on unrelated drug charges.

In the approximately six-minute, videotaped court proceeding, Smith detailed what happened to Millsap and some of the evidence authorities have in the case.

He testified that she took her dog for a walk and that about 5:30 p.m. she was on the trail in an easterly path from Fulton in Armada. Just east of the Liberty Trail, he said, she changed direction, double-backed and went westbound on the trail.

A witness, who was identified as a classmate of April's, saw her talking with a man on a blue-and-white motorcycle. Another witness identified the man as VanCallis, Smith said.

Smith said in court that April had rebuffed VanCallis and headed away from him, but he was not accepting of the fact that she rebuffed him.

VanCallis got off his motorcycle, Smith said, pursued the teen, ambushed her from behind, took her into the woods and continued to beat and stomp on her. Smith said VanCallis was wearing an athletic shoe with a distinctive tread pattern and that he continued to beat her until she was dead.

Another witness saw him in the woods where April's body was found. That witness worked with a forensic artist to create a sketch and VanCallis matches the sketch, Smith said.

Smith said in court that VanCallis stole her cell phone and backpack. Smith said VanCallis was seen on video with April's cell phone in his possession and shoes with the same tread pattern as the marks on the teen's body.

The girl was partially disrobed when her body was discovered. Smith said VanCallis tried to sexually assault her, but was interrupted by the witness who developed the sketch.

"But for that, he would have raped her," Smith told the judge.

During his arraignment, VanCallis — dressed in an orange jail jumpsuit — answered LeDuc's questions. Before leaving the courtroom, he told LeDuc: "Thank you, your honor, and you have a good day."

VanCallis' mother, relatives and friends sat in a front row opposite April's mother and stepfather, who left without commenting. VanCallis' supporters declined comment.

Assistant Prosecutor William Cataldo requested no bond, calling April's death "a violent, senseless and most likely, a random act." He said the crime shook people's confidence, especially those who use the trail. Prosecutor Eric Smith said he does not believe VanCallis knew April.

Ankouny requested a high bond in case VanCallis, who lives 20 minutes away and has ties to the community, could post and would spend less time in jail if he is acquitted.

But LeDuc said the allegations are "as serious as possible" and extremely violent. He said VanCallis had a "long history" in that court, including nine prior misdemeanor contacts and a 10th case that caught his attention, which he described as shoplifting. LeDuc said VanCallis twice "disappeared on us for months at a time."

Ankouny said his client has no prior violent, assaultive nature in his past.

VanCallis' court files show misdemeanor cases dating back more than a decade and dealing with offenses in communities in northern Macomb County, such as driving with a suspended license and malicious destruction of property. The court files show he has had a variety of jobs.

In a letter to LeDuc in May 2007, VanCallis pleaded for relief from drug testing and counseling, talking about the cost and other obligations.

"I am trying to get my life back together, but I do need your help," he wrote at the end of his letter.

After the arraignment, Ankouny said VanCallis is presumed innocent of the murder and assault charges. He said VanCallis denies the attack and did not commit it. He said his client is down and upset that authorities have zeroed in on him.

Ankouny said he is reading reports that are "very disturbing" but he has not seen any evidence. Eric Smith said authorities have eyewitness, physical and electronic evidence. Ankouny said eyewitness testimony "is the weakest testimony that exists." He said he was not aware of what the electronic evidence is, and he has not been made aware of any DNA.

Contact Christina Hall: chall99@freepress.com