Separate court appearance for Paul Connolly in Steven Miller homicide case

The oldest man accused of violently abducting and killing Steven Miller in Conception Bay South last month has been given a separate court date from his co-accused.

Paul Connolly, 35, appeared in provincial court in St. John's via video link from Her Majesty's Penitentiary on Thursday morning. His case was set over until Sept 21.

Connolly will be represented by well-known lawyers Mark Gruchy and Jeff Brace, who are also representing accused murderer Brandon Phillips.

The other three accused in Miller's homicide had their court date on Wednesday and are set to reappear on Sept 19.

Kyle Morgan, 19, Calvin Kenny, 25, Chesley John Lucas, a.k.a. CJ Clarke, 23, and Connolly are charged with first-degree murder, robbery, forcible confinement and arson.

Connolly and Clarke are also facing pre-existing charges stemming from other incidents.

Connolly was seriously injured during the timeframe police gave for Miller's homicide. However, the RNC did not say how the injuries occurred.

Miller's body was discovered with stab wounds at the end of a driveway in Bayview Heights, a short distance away from his Seal Cove home, on July 30.

Police said Miller was abducted from his home, before it was set on fire.

The RNC has not publicly disclosed the alleged motive for the crime.