Lawyers defending Quebec billionaire businessman Robert Miller against sex crime charges have filed an application for a stay of proceedings, claiming he is too ill to appear in court.
The founder of Future Electronics was arrested last week on 21 sex-related charges involving 10 complainants, many of whom were minors when the alleged offences took place between 1994 and 2016. One of the alleged victims was under the age of 14.
The application states that Miller, 80, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1996 and is now in the most advanced stage, which has made him “extremely frail,” adding that he requires constant care.
The lawyers argue that participating in the criminal trial would violate Miller’s Charter rights, as he would never be able to defend himself, and that appearing in court would significantly damage his health.
In the medical assessment, one of the doctors concluded that Miller was “medically unfit to testify and travel.”
“Holding a trial in the absence of the accused or holding a trial in which the accused is unable to testify would cause serious and irreparable harm to the rights of the accused and to the integrity of the judicial system,” states the motion submitted to the court.
Miller is accused of sexual assault, pimping and sexual exploitation. He has denied the allegations.
The entrepreneur was arrested on May 30, at his home in Westmount by the Montreal police (SPVM) and is due to appear before the Superior Court of Quebec in Montreal on July 3.
The police had opened an investigation in 2009, but no charges were laid at the time.
Miller has maintained his innocence. A statement last week alleged “the clear motivation behind this whole case, dating back as far as 30 years ago, is easy financial gain at his expense.”
Last February, a Quebec judge ruled that Miller could be questioned as part of a class action before it was authorised, but only in writing. The lawyer for the alleged victims in the case had asked to question Miller as soon as possible, citing fears that the accused would die before the case went to trial.
Miller resigned as CEO of Future Electronics in February 2023, saying he would focus on protecting his reputation amid reports of sexual offences by CBC and Radio-Canada.
On Tuesday, the SPVM arrested a woman who was part of the “entourage” of Miller. Police say Teresita Fuentes, 67, was charged with pimping.
Police say the charge against Fuentes is linked to one of 10 complainants, many of whom were minors when the alleged offences occurred, in the Miller case.
She is also due back in court July 3.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews