MANDEL: Double murderer Dellen Millard files appeal, claims he was forced to represent himself
Michele Mandel
More from Michele Mandel
Published:
March 28, 2018
Updated:
March 28, 2018 8:19 PM EDT
Dellen Millard Facebook
Double murderer Dellen Millard is appealing his second murder conviction and the consecutive life sentence that prevents him from seeking parole for 50 years.
From his current home at the Toronto East detention centre where he’s awaiting his third murder trial — this time accused of killing his father — Millard has filed his inmate notice of appeal to his first-degree murder conviction in the death of former girlfriend Laura Babcock, insisting the verdict is unreasonable and the punishment “unduly harsh and also unconstitutional.”
Laura Babcock, left, and Tim Bosma were murdered by Dellen Millard and Mark Smich, juries found.
But the real kicker is this: The millionaire aviation heir has the nerve to blame Justice Michael Code for his poor decision to play lawyer at the Babcock trial.
“The learned trial judge erred in denying me the right to counsel and forcing me to represent myself,” Millard wrote in neat printing.
Yet he can’t help himself from still using his new legalese, stating his appeal will include “other injudicious errors, which the record will reveal, and I shall further advise.”
Millard, 32, and best pal Mark Smich, 30, were convicted in December of murdering Babcock and burning her body in an animal incinerator in July 2012. Already serving life for the 2013 thrill-kill and cremation of Tim Bosma, the pair was sentenced to a consecutive life sentence for Babcock’s slaying, making them ineligible for parole for 50 years.
Smich filed his inmate notice of appeal Feb. 27, the day after the downtown courtroom erupted in cheers at their sentencing. Millard didn’t file his until March 23, right under the 30-day appeal deadline.
There was no doubt he’d appeal. What’s outrageous is Millard’s accusation that it was Code’s fault he went it alone at trial. In reality, the judge repeatedly urged him to hire a lawyer. It was the cocky killer who ignored that advice.
The heir to millions from his father’s aviation company, Millard claimed he couldn’t access the funds. Legal Aid turned him down. His trial date was continually postponed to give him more time to free up money to retain a lawyer. Last July, he was granted access to $1 million from the $4.8 million sale of the Millard Properties’ Waterloo hangar.
Dellen Millard
Still, he stalled about hiring a lawyer. Code refused another adjournment.
“Although his private resources were undoubtedly depleted to some extent in the Bosma trial in Hamilton, I am satisfied he remains a relatively wealthy individual who is able to retain counsel privately if that is his true wish,” wrote Code in a pre-trial ruling.
The arrogant Millard decided he’d represent himself. Throughout the trial, though, he whined about how his incarceration interfered with his ability to prepare for court. An exceedingly patient Code accommodated his many requests, ensuring Millard had speedy transportation back to jail to prepare for the next day’s witness and even scheduling long weekends during the trial.
That didn’t stop Millard’s constant griping until even the ever-patient judge lost his temper. “You’re self-represented by your own choice,” Code sternly reminded him. “You could have had a team of lawyers.”
And now Millard dares to blame his egotistical folly on the judge who tried to save him from himself.
mmandel@postmedia.com
MANDEL: Double murderer Dellen Millard files appeal, claims he was forced to represent himself | Toronto Sun
Michele Mandel
More from Michele Mandel
Published:
March 28, 2018
Updated:
March 28, 2018 8:19 PM EDT
Dellen Millard Facebook
Double murderer Dellen Millard is appealing his second murder conviction and the consecutive life sentence that prevents him from seeking parole for 50 years.
From his current home at the Toronto East detention centre where he’s awaiting his third murder trial — this time accused of killing his father — Millard has filed his inmate notice of appeal to his first-degree murder conviction in the death of former girlfriend Laura Babcock, insisting the verdict is unreasonable and the punishment “unduly harsh and also unconstitutional.”
Laura Babcock, left, and Tim Bosma were murdered by Dellen Millard and Mark Smich, juries found.
But the real kicker is this: The millionaire aviation heir has the nerve to blame Justice Michael Code for his poor decision to play lawyer at the Babcock trial.
“The learned trial judge erred in denying me the right to counsel and forcing me to represent myself,” Millard wrote in neat printing.
Yet he can’t help himself from still using his new legalese, stating his appeal will include “other injudicious errors, which the record will reveal, and I shall further advise.”
Millard, 32, and best pal Mark Smich, 30, were convicted in December of murdering Babcock and burning her body in an animal incinerator in July 2012. Already serving life for the 2013 thrill-kill and cremation of Tim Bosma, the pair was sentenced to a consecutive life sentence for Babcock’s slaying, making them ineligible for parole for 50 years.
Smich filed his inmate notice of appeal Feb. 27, the day after the downtown courtroom erupted in cheers at their sentencing. Millard didn’t file his until March 23, right under the 30-day appeal deadline.
There was no doubt he’d appeal. What’s outrageous is Millard’s accusation that it was Code’s fault he went it alone at trial. In reality, the judge repeatedly urged him to hire a lawyer. It was the cocky killer who ignored that advice.
The heir to millions from his father’s aviation company, Millard claimed he couldn’t access the funds. Legal Aid turned him down. His trial date was continually postponed to give him more time to free up money to retain a lawyer. Last July, he was granted access to $1 million from the $4.8 million sale of the Millard Properties’ Waterloo hangar.
Dellen Millard
Still, he stalled about hiring a lawyer. Code refused another adjournment.
“Although his private resources were undoubtedly depleted to some extent in the Bosma trial in Hamilton, I am satisfied he remains a relatively wealthy individual who is able to retain counsel privately if that is his true wish,” wrote Code in a pre-trial ruling.
The arrogant Millard decided he’d represent himself. Throughout the trial, though, he whined about how his incarceration interfered with his ability to prepare for court. An exceedingly patient Code accommodated his many requests, ensuring Millard had speedy transportation back to jail to prepare for the next day’s witness and even scheduling long weekends during the trial.
That didn’t stop Millard’s constant griping until even the ever-patient judge lost his temper. “You’re self-represented by your own choice,” Code sternly reminded him. “You could have had a team of lawyers.”
And now Millard dares to blame his egotistical folly on the judge who tried to save him from himself.
mmandel@postmedia.com
MANDEL: Double murderer Dellen Millard files appeal, claims he was forced to represent himself | Toronto Sun