INDIANAPOLIS -- A special prosecutor was appointed Tuesday in the case of Indianapolis City-County Councilman Jeff Miller despite objections from the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.
Hendricks County Judge Mark. A Smith issued a notice to Miller and Prosecutor Terry Curry’s office on Tuesday that he had assigned Hamilton County Prosecutor D. Lee Buckingham II as special prosecutor in the case.
Miller, who faces three counts of child molesting, requested a special prosecutor in November – citing, among other things, the fact that a former political opponent used to work as a deputy prosecutor for Curry.
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The case had already been moved to Hendricks County following the recusal of Marion County Judge Mark D. Stoner.
Curry’s office fought to oversee the case, arguing that appointing a special prosecutor would be “unduly burdensome” on the alleged minor victims.
Miller was charged with child molesting in November after a 10-year-old girl told her parents about multiple alleged instances of “uncomfortable touching” by the Indianapolis councilman.
Miller has since been stripped of his committee assignments and removed from the Marion County GOP Caucus, but has so far resisted calls for his resignation.
Last month, Smith warned Miller that he could be found in violation of protective orders against him if he continues attending neighborhood meetings where his alleged victims could be present. The orders do not prohibit Miller from attending Indianapolis City-County Council meetings.
Miller’s next court appearance was scheduled for a pretrial conference on March 16. No trial date had yet been set.
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