Considering the move premature, the Quebec Superior Court has refused to hear billionaire Robert Miller’s request to stop the legal process. The octogenarian had argued that his fragile health should lead to the criminal charges of sexual abuse against him being dropped.
The founder of the multinational Future Electronics was arrested on May 30 by Montreal police for crimes committed against ten women, including eight minors, between 1994 and 2016. He is accused of sexual assault, sexual exploitation in a context of authority and obtaining sexual services from a minor. Released immediately on condition, he will be able to be represented by his lawyers when he appears in court on July 3.
His lawyers, however, asked the Superior Court to order a halt to the legal process immediately, due to his numerous health problems, including Parkinson’s disease which leaves him “bedridden and cared for 24/7.” Mr. Miller relied in particular on the opinion of doctors according to whom his declining health made him incapable of having a normal trial, an exercise which could even lead to fatal complications.
Criminal trials can be held by videoconference in certain cases but Mr. Miller’s lawyers confirmed that they have the mandate to refuse this type of arrangement. Before the Superior Court this week, they argued that all the steps to be taken in anticipation of the trial would occupy the already overloaded resources of the judicial system, possibly for nothing, because the condition of their client will only decline with the passage of the time.
“Why go through all this if ultimately there won’t be a trial? », asked Me Isabella Teolis
But according to judge François Dadour, it is too early to decide this question. The magistrate therefore refused to hear the request. He noted in his ruling that there are several procedural steps remaining before a trial, during which Mr. Miller can be represented by his lawyers in court.
“Later in the process, other arrangements could be considered,” the judge added.
Prosecutors from the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DPCP) recognized that ultimately, the question of the accused’s capacity to stand trial will have to be decided. “You cannot take for granted that he will not be able to stand trial,” however, underlined Me Delphine Mauger, one of the prosecutors.
The DPCP has already found a medical expert to carry out a new examination of the accused as the trial approaches.
“We are going to ask him to be fully objective,” underlined Me Delphine Mauger.
