By Canadian Press

Quebec judge denies bid by billionaire Robert Miller for stay in sex crimes trial

Jun 21, 2024 | 11:15 AM

MONTREAL — A Quebec Superior Court judge has denied a Quebec billionaire businessman a stay of proceedings after his lawyers argued he was too sick to appear in court next month.

Robert Miller, founder of global electronics distributor Future Electronics, was arrested in May on 21 sex charges involving 10 complainants, many of whom were minors when the alleged offences occurred between 1994 and 2016.

Miller’s lawyers had argued that the 80-year-old Miller is bedridden and unable to participate in the trial or defend himself because his health has deteriorated from the effects of Parkinson’s disease.

In his decision dated Thursday, Judge François Dadour says he is not convinced by the urgency of the defence’s claim that Miller’s rights would be violated by having to appear in court on July 3.

Dadour adds that some of the future proceedings do not require Miller to appear physically in court or to oppose the charges.

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However, the judge says the situation may “evolve” and Miller’s condition could eventually interfere with his legal rights.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 21, 2024.

The Canadian Press