Robert Miller

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Pointe-Claire billionaire businessman Robert Miller’s request to stay the charges related to sexual crime allegations made by 10 women and girls against him was denied by a Quebec Superior Court judge.

Miller’s lawyers argued that moving forward with the judicial process violates his rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to defend himself stating that he is incapable of doing so given his state of health. Now 80 years old, Miller reportedly suffers from advanced Parkinson’s disease and is bedridden with round the clock medical care. “The applicant is not capable of participating in a criminal trial, as this would cause significant harm to his health. He is not and will never be able to defend himself,” his legal representation stated.

Justice François Dadour ruled that the current procedural steps do not require Miller to appear in person, nor to oppose the charges while it was acknowledged that the Miller case will be long and complex due to the number of complainants and the time lapses attached to some of the allegations made against him. “In an unqualified future, Mr. Miller’s condition may raise some specifically urgent issues or interfere with his fair trial rights in ways that could bring the Superior Court to then intervene by virtue of its fundamental role and inherent power to enforce individual rights.”

Miller is facing twenty-one charges, including sexual assault, obtaining sexual services for consideration and several counts of sexual exploitation of minors. n