Judge stays proceedings against Robert Miller
By Dan Laxer
The Suburban
Robert Miller appeared in court, Monday, via video link, too sick and too frail with Parkinson’s and heart disease.
In Quebec Superior Court, Miller’s lawyer, Isabella Teolis, argued before Justice Lyne Décarie calling for a stay of proceedings in the criminal cases Miller is facing, citing the disgraced billionnaire’s health issues.
His deteriorating health was attested to by six physicians, including a court-appointed neurologist.
Crown prosecutor Delphine Mauger agreed with the defense.
Justice Décarie has agreed to the request.
A stay of proceedings is not an acquittal, the judge explained.
As is now well known, Miller is facing several sex charges stemming from allegations that he recruited and paid underage girls for sex. Those encounters took place in hotels, and in Miller’s Westmount home.
“Sexual exploitation crime concerns itself with human dignity,” Mauger said in court, particularly the human dignity of the minor victims. She pointed out that the eleven victims in the cases were between 14 and 18 years of age. Some younger than 14. “Their human dignity deserves to be honoured and respected,” Mauger said.
She then acknowledged that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees “rights to life, security, and human dignity,” even that of the accused.
“Mr. Miller is gravely ill with no change of recovery,” she said, accepting that he is too sick and frail to make it through a trial. “We agree that there is no other remedy than a stay of proceedings.”
The judge acknowledged that Miller’s health will not improve, so a postponement of the trial would not be in order. However, the stay of proceedings does not apply to all the cases in which Miller is named as the defendant. There is a case that was filed last spring but that only made it to court last week. In that case the stay does not apply.
As of last May 2024 Miller faced 18 charges including sexual assault. He faced similar charges brought up in December. n
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