Former Clark County councilman requests new judge in case tied to Jamey Noel

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (WDRB) -- Former Clarksville Police Officer and Councilman John Miller was in court Monday to ask for a new judge.

The motion was made after Special Judge Larry Medlock denied a request for Miller to travel to Washington last month for the presidential inauguration.

Medlock heard arguments from both sides, with Miller's attorney, Bart Betteau, explaining why he wanted to attend President Donald Trump's inauguration.

"He's through and through public servant and he does that, in part, by supporting his party," Betteau said. "He thought it was important that he be there. He wanted to be part of the celebration of that moment. I don't have to tell anybody here what a big moment that was for a lot of people."

Regardless, Medlock denied the motion.

"I just don’t think it was the appropriate thing to do, and that's why denied the request to go to Washington, D.C." Medlock said in court Monday. "Therefore, your motion for a change of venue from the judge is denied."

Miller, who was arrested in August, is charged with one count of official misconduct after prosecutors said he accepted gifts, like meals and concert tickets, from former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel. As a councilman, Miller approved funding for New Chapel EMS, which Noel was the CEO, without disclosing a conflict of interest.

Last year, Noel was sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty on Aug. 26 to 27 felonies for theft, obstruction of justice, tax evasion, money laundering, corrupt business influence and official misconduct.

He agreed to the plea deal nearly a year after he was arrested and Indiana State Police investigators raided his home in southern Indiana.

Miller's attorneys also filed a motion in court Monday to dismiss the charges against him.

"People don't become police officers just as a job," Betteau said. "Police become police officers and council members because they feel a public calling. They feel it's important. They want to be part of it. And so you take that away from a man or a woman — you take that away from any person — and it's devastating. It's wrecked his whole life. And if he's acquitted — when he's acquitted — it won't make any difference. There will still be these tales going around about how he was still in money, too. It doesn't matter. You can't get that back."

Medlock said he'll consider the arguments from both sides before making a decision on the motion to dismiss.

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