Former landlord Miell wants to call 90 witnesses at sentencing

Convicted Cedar Rapids landlord Robert Miell informed court officials this week that he plans to call 90 witnesses at his Aug. 17 tax and mail fraud federal sentencing.

U.S. District Judge Mark Bennett filed an order Tuesday asking Miell to file a witness list by July 2 including each witness, what they will testify about, the relevance of testimony and a time estimate for each witness. Bennett said the information will move the hearing along and ensure an orderly proceeding.

In a previous continuance requested by the defense, Alfredo Parrish, Miell's attorney, said he needed the extra time to review a mental evaluation conducted on Miell and to review the 90 witnesses that Miell wanted to call. Parrish said he thought he could narrow the list and reduce the sentencing from three or four days to two.

The sentencing started last September, but was continued after Miell had a disagreement with his attorneys regarding whether he would testify.

Miell, 55, of Cedar Rapids, pleaded guilty to 18 counts of mail fraud and two counts of perjury, and in January 2009 he was convicted by a jury of two counts of tax fraud. The charges stem from Miell's fraudulent reports to American Family Insurance of more than $336,000 in storm damage at 145 properties.