Robert Miller: prosecution will not contest motion to stay trial due to accused's poor health
A Montreal judge is expected to rule Tuesday on whether or not billionaire Robert Miller will stand trial on several sex charges.
The 81-year-old is facing more than 20 sex-related charges involving more than 10 women, many of whom were minors at the time of the alleged events. He has always denied the allegations.
The judge heard arguments Monday from the Crown on whether Miller, who is suffering from an advanced form of Parkinson's disease, is fit to stand trial.
Last April, the defence filed a motion seeking a stay of proceedings on account of his medical condition, arguing that he would be unable to participate in the trial, and that a trial would violate his right to a fair trial, since the Charter includes protections for a full and fair defence.
Following the motion, the Crown appointed its own expert to assess Miller's health. Dr. Pierre Blanchet testified Monday in court and concluded that 'it would be impossible for [Miller] to be transported daily to the courthouse to stand trial,' said Lucas Bastien, a spokesperson for the Quebec Crown prosecution office, in an email to CTV News.
The judge took the arguments under consideration and will render a decision Tuesday afternoon on whether the trial will be stayed.
The allegations against Miller, founder of Future Electronics, first came to light after a Radio-Canada investigative report in 2023 documenting complaints from several women who alleged the billionaire orchestrated a system of recruiting young girls and showering them with gifts in exchange for sex.
Miller is also facing a class-action lawsuit from several women who made similar allegations over several years. A judge gave the class action the green light in January, though the Court of Appeal granted Miller and other defendants permission to appeal.
Miller has maintained his innocence following the allegations made in the civil case.
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