Tioga County Assistant Public Defender Todd Miller has been suspended by the county pending the resolution of the criminal case against him, County Legislative Chairman Dale Weston told the Morning Times Monday.
Weston said the legislature will be hiring an additional public defender soon to fill Miller’s position due to the large caseload that the public defender’s office is currently handling. The county legislature will discuss Miller’s situation again once the criminal case against him has been resolved, said Weston.
Miller, who is a prominent Waverly attorney, was arrested by Sayre Borough Police April 2 and charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, obstructing administration of law or other governmental functions, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness in connection with the incident that occurred at the Milltown Inn on Cayuta Street.
The aggravated assault charge is a second-degree felony. Resisting arrest and obstructing administration of law are both second-degree misdemeanors. The two remaining charges filed against Miller are both summary offenses.
Police explained that Miller was arrested after he allegedly interfered with officers’ attempts to conduct an investigation into a disturbance at the Milltown Inn. The officers attempted to take Miller into custody, at which time, he allegedly resisted, said police said. According to police, Miller allegedly showed numerous signs of intoxication during this incident.
Miller was eventually taken into custody and upon his transport back to the Sayre Borough Police Department, he allegedly kneed an officer in his thigh — near the officer’s groin — while they attempted to escort him, Miller, into the station, police said.
Miller, who is being represented by Athens attorney Art Agnellino, is slated to appear before Magisterial District Judge Michael Shaw for a preliminary hearing on May 24.
