Accused councillor in court

A Penticton councillor facing historical charges of child sexual abuse will not go to trial immediately — rather, his lawyer will engage in a judicial pre-trial first.

James Miller, 59, was arrested Aug. 1 on charges of sexual interference and sexual assault on a person under 16 dating back to his time as a youth basketball coach in Sarnia, Ontario.

The alleged victim who has come forward is now an adult. Sarnia police are still seeking more individuals who may have had interactions with Miller at the time.

On Wednesday morning, Miller's lawyer appeared on his behalf in court in Sarnia. Miller was not required to attend.

His lawyer requested a judicial pre-trial, which is described as a meeting between defence, Crown and a judge to "sort out issues before the trial or, if possible, resolve the case without a trial, which might involve a withdrawal of the charge(s), diversion, or a guilty plea," according to the Ontario Court of Justice.

The judge in the pre-trial will not be the same as the potential trial judge.

That pre-trial will be held Oct. 28.

Miller will then return to open court Nov. 12. Miller has not yet entered a guilty or not guilty plea.

Miller was elected as a Penticton councillor in 2021. He is now suspended from that role with pay while criminal proceedings are underway.

Miller is also the editor of the Penticton Herald and Kelowna Daily Courier, but according to the Okanagan Newspaper Group, he "has been reassigned to desk duties with Okanagan Newspaper Group while his matter is before the court."