Miller murder trial begins today
ALBION – A murder trial that has twice been delayed will finally begin today with jury selection.
Frederick Miller, 62, faces 25 years to life in prison if he is convicted of killing his girlfriend Rachel Miller on March 4, 2013. Mr. Miller allegedly bludgeoned and stabbed Rachel Miller several times. He has been charged with second-degree murder.
The trial was first delayed when Miller switched attorneys from the public defender to Robert King of Rochester. It was delayed again when King in March filed paperwork for a psychiatric defense, claiming Miller subjected to emotional abuse by his live-in girlfriend.
But King withdrew that defense when Miller refused to meet with a psychiatrist. Orleans County Court Judge James Punch on April 28 said he was forced to preclude expert psychiatric testimony because Miller is refusing to cooperate.
The Millers allegedly had a fight on March 4 at a home they shared on Oak Orchard River Road. Rachel Miller was 53 when she died as a result of blunt force trauma combined with multiple stab wounds, according to an autopsy.
Jury selection begins at 10 a.m. today in the county courthouse.