Months Before Penticton Politician Facing Sex Charges Will Learn Fate
Justice Russell Raikes will rule on Sept. 18 after Crown and defence argued over credibility in Miller’s second trial, which included testimony from two former players.
- On Thursday, Ontario Superior Court Justice Russell Raikes heard final arguments in the historical sex-offence trial of Penticton city councillor and newspaper editor James Miller, with his verdict set for September 18.
- The Crown alleges Miller used his role as a youth basketball coach in Sarnia, Ontario, to isolate boys, describing his behavior as an escalating pattern of "testing the waters" with young targets during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
- Defence counsel Donald Elliott argued the testimony lacked an "air of believablity," noting only two individuals have come forward out of 700 players Miller coached over 17 years, citing inconsistent recollections of locations and timelines.
- Miller remains on mandatory paid leave from the City of Penticton, collecting roughly $27,000 annually, while awaiting a separate ruling in early June regarding his previous trial for similar historical sexual charges.
- Crown lawyer Suzanne LaSha maintained that inconsistencies in testimony are "minor" and "normal" for historical cases, arguing the core allegations remain strong despite Miller's denial of all charges of impropriety.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Decision on Penticton city councillor’s historic sex crimes trial set for September - Creston Valley Advance
A judge is expected to deliver a decision in September after the second trial involving allegations of historical sexual offences against a Penticton city councillor concluded this week. In response to a question from Superior Court of Ontario Justice Russell Raikes, following closing submissions on May 28, Coun. James Miller expressed his desire for a quicker decision, but the Justice stated he simply did not have any time available sooner than…
Decision on Penticton city councillor’s historic sex crimes trial set for September - Fort St. James Caledonia Courier
A judge is expected to deliver a decision in September after the second trial involving allegations of historical sexual offences against a Penticton city councillor concluded this week. In response to a question from Superior Court of Ontario Justice Russell Raikes, following closing submissions on May 28, Coun. James Miller expressed his desire for a quicker decision, but the Justice stated he simply did not have any time available sooner than…
Decision on Penticton city councillor’s historic sex crimes trial set for September - Grand Forks Gazette
A judge is expected to deliver a decision in September after the second trial involving allegations of historical sexual offences against a Penticton city councillor concluded this week. In response to a question from Superior Court of Ontario Justice Russell Raikes, following closing submissions on May 28, Coun. James Miller expressed his desire for a quicker decision, but the Justice stated he simply did not have any time available sooner than…
Decision on Penticton city councillor’s historic sex crimes trial set for September - Vanderhoof Omineca Express
A judge is expected to deliver a decision in September after the second trial involving allegations of historical sexual offences against a Penticton city councillor concluded this week. In response to a question from Superior Court of Ontario Justice Russell Raikes, following closing submissions on May 28, Coun. James Miller expressed his desire for a quicker decision, but the Justice stated he simply did not have any time available sooner than…
Decision on Penticton city councillor’s historic sex crimes trial set for September - Northern Sentinel
A judge is expected to deliver a decision in September after the second trial involving allegations of historical sexual offences against a Penticton city councillor concluded this week. In response to a question from Superior Court of Ontario Justice Russell Raikes, following closing submissions on May 28, Coun. James Miller expressed his desire for a quicker decision, but the Justice stated he simply did not have any time available sooner than…
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