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MURDER TRIAL

Accused in Aberdeen murder to stand trial in Kamloops starting Jan. 13

Nov 18, 2019 | 2:21 AM

KAMLOOPS — A Fraser Valley man accused of murder at an Aberdeen motel three years ago is set to stand trial in the new year.

The trial of David Miller, facing one count of first-degree murder in the death of acquaintance Debra Novacluse, will begin in B.C. Supreme Court on Jan. 13, 2020.

52-year-old Novacluse was found dead at the Super 8 Motel on Hugh Allan Drive on Aug. 27, 2016.

During a pre-trial conference on Monday (Nov. 18), Miller’s lawyer Jim Heller and Crown prosecutor Monica Fras discussed the trial, which at this point will be by jury. However, Heller isn’t confident his client will proceed with a jury trial.

Another pre-trial date was set for Dec. 19, where both parties will determine whether it’s a trial by jury or judge alone. It will also determine how long the trial is — three or five weeks — depending on how much evidence is submitted.

Police said Miller and Novacluse were in Kamloops from Abbotsford on Aug. 27, 2016. Miller was arrested in Ontario following her death.

None of the allegations against Miller have been proven in court.

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