Trial begins for Penticton city councillor accused of sexual offences involving youth

A Penticton urban center councillor accused of multiple historical sexual offences against early days appeared in a Sarnia, Ont., courtroom tues for the indorse daytime of his trial.

James Miller, 60, was elected to city council in a 2021 byelection, and remains on a leave of absence.

He is on trial for three counts of sexual interference, two counts of invitation to sexual touching, and one count of sexual assault against a person under the age of 16.

Court heard from one of three alleged victims. He testified that he met Miller when he was in Grade 5 or 6 at a Sarnia elementary school where Miller was a volunteer basketball coach.

The man, who can’t be identified due to a publication ban, said Miller would often give players a ride home and invite them to his apartment.

"He was very warm and comforting. He was a friend. He made people like myself feel very comfortable to be around," he said. 

He said as time progressed he began to spend more time alone with Miller.

The man testified that during a trip to Chicago to see NBA star Michael Jordan play basketball, Miller allegedly asked him to massage his feet, and that eventually led to sexual touching.

The man also recalled an incident at a sauna inside Miller’s apartment complex, where Miller allegedly brought a condom, and began touching him.

"At that point being a kid so young, I don’t know what to do or what to say," he said.

The man said he was scared to say something to an adult because he worried about losing opportunities to travel, and other privileges. He said when he was a child Miller bought him a brand new pair of shoes. He also took him to a Meat Loaf concert, Detroit Pistons basketball games, and eventually taught him how to drive.     

"I trusted him with my life," he said of Miller.

The man began to tear up while talking about the impact of the alleged offences, noting failed relationships and built-up anger and frustration.

During cross-examination, Miller’s defence counsel, Donald Elliot, questioned how old the alleged victim was when he claimed to have travelled to Chicago with Miller to see Michael Jordan play, implying that he was an adult when that trip took place back in 2001.

The defence said the man's timeline didn't add up since Jordan wasn't a member of the NBA's Chicago Bulls in 2001.

The defence also pointed to correspondence between Miller and the alleged victim in 2024, months before initial charges were laid, when they talked about the Stanley Cup.

The defence also questioned why he allowed Miller to stay the night at his home with his young child years after the alleged offences took place.

The Penticton city councillor’s case is being heard by judge alone. 

The five-week trial continues Wednesday.

Reporter

Tiffany Goodwein is an award-winning journalist focused on covering Penticton and the south Okanagan area of British Columbia. She previously spent six years reporting in Alberta and is happy to be back home in B.C., where she grew up. You can contact her at tiffany.goodwein@cbc.ca

---

---