Reverend Al Miller’s attorney yesterday said that he is appealing his conviction on a perverting the course of justice charge slapped on him after he was held in a car with fugitive Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke in July 2010.According to attorney Jacqueline Samuels-Brown, QC, Miller’s decision is based on legal advice, the urgings of many, and his own prayerful reflections on all that transpired leading up to, at, and since his trial.“Reverend Miller has instructed that, based on all the above, he believes it is important for the Court of Appeal to consider and rule on the important legal issues arising from his case, including Jamaica’s relationship with other countries, particularly in the context of extradition matters and as well the relationship between the citizen and the police,” Samuels-Brown said in a news release.On September 15, Parish Judge Simone Wolfe Reece sentenced Miller to a fine of $1 million or 12 months in prison almost two months after she found him guilty. Throughout his trial, Miller maintained that he was escorting Coke to the United States Embassy in St Andrew as Coke wanted to surrender to authorities there.Coke, who was wanted by United States law enforcement authorities on drug and gunrunning charges, was on the lam for weeks after fleeing his base in Tivoli Gardens when police and soldiers went into the heavily barricaded community to arrest him but encountered heavy resistance from gunmen loyal to him.After he was captured with Miller, Coke waived his right to an extradition hearing and was taken to the United States, where he was convicted and sentenced to 23 years in prison after pleading guilty to racketeering.Yesterday, Samuels-Brown said Miller “has reaffirmed his respect for the decision of the trial judge and the judicial process of which appeals are of seminal importance and a legitimate right afforded to all citizens. “He is now content to await the deliberation and ruling of the Court of Appeal.”

According to attorney Jacqueline Samuels-Brown, QC, Miller’s decision is based on legal advice, the urgings of many, and his own prayerful reflections on all that transpired leading up to, at, and since his trial.

“Reverend Miller has instructed that, based on all the above, he believes it is important for the Court of Appeal to consider and rule on the important legal issues arising from his case, including Jamaica’s relationship with other countries, particularly in the context of extradition matters and as well the relationship between the citizen and the police,” Samuels-Brown said in a news release.

On September 15, Parish Judge Simone Wolfe Reece sentenced Miller to a fine of $1 million or 12 months in prison almost two months after she found him guilty.

Throughout his trial, Miller maintained that he was escorting Coke to the United States Embassy in St Andrew as Coke wanted to surrender to authorities there.

Coke, who was wanted by United States law enforcement authorities on drug and gunrunning charges, was on the lam for weeks after fleeing his base in Tivoli Gardens when police and soldiers went into the heavily barricaded community to arrest him but encountered heavy resistance from gunmen loyal to him.

After he was captured with Miller, Coke waived his right to an extradition hearing and was taken to the United States, where he was convicted and sentenced to 23 years in prison after pleading guilty to racketeering.

Yesterday, Samuels-Brown said Miller “has reaffirmed his respect for the decision of the trial judge and the judicial process of which appeals are of seminal importance and a legitimate right afforded to all citizens.

“He is now content to await the deliberation and ruling of the Court of Appeal.”