The 2026 trial of Eric Miller (formally Robloxia v. Miller) is an ongoing high-profile criminal case being heard in the Robloxia High Court since March 2026. The trial is presided over by Chief Justice Marisol Vance of Robloxia High Court, and is based on Eric Miller alongside with his role in the consequences of the 2016-2017 Davidson riots which resulted in 2,572 deaths and 4,102 injuries. Miller is accused of crimes such as manslaughter, bribery of law enforcement, local judges and councilmen, indifference to public violence and falsely imprisoning activists in order to get rid of political opponents, which is known as the 2016 Davidson Assembly Purge. Miller was concluded to be guilty on March 22, however no consequence has been announced a yet.
The proceedings began on March 17, 2026, with Miller initially refusing to enter the courtroom, but was later forced to using heavy security. Over the following days, the High Court examined multiple allegations, including incitement of violence during the 2016–2017 Davidson riots, bribery of city council members and local courts, criminal negligence, and the controversial detention of 73 political activists at Davidson Community Hall. There were testimonies taken from former city officials and law enforcement officers, with videos and past writings being used as evidence. Miller remained largely silent, however made brief objections during the proceedings. On March 22, Miller was concluded to be guilty with the consequence still being decided.
Background
In 2015, Miller won the Davidson Mayoral Election with 51% of the vote despite controversy regarding his proposals. Throughout his tenure as the mayor of Davidson, Miller began imposing strict regulations that became controversial, such as the 9 PM curfew, sudden closures of local businesses and increased surveillance that residents believed would disrupt privacy. Protests began in August 2016, which quickly escalated into clashes. Eric Miller ordered the arrests of 73 activists in September 2016, allegedly bribing the law enforcement and local courts to legally sanction them. As the riots escalated into 2017, Miller had also allegedly instructed the law enforcement to use lethal force against protesters, which is said to have contributed to the large number of casualties. Miller was arrested in July 2017 following his impeachment after the state government of Wisconsin declared a state emergency in early 2017, but was released exactly an year later.
Trial
Day 1
The trial of Eric Miller began on March 17, 2026, at Robloxia’s High Court. On the first day, Miller initially refused to enter the courtroom, citing claims of political bias and alleging that the proceedings were influenced by the recently unstable political climate. Authorities later forced his presence under heavy security. When brought into the trial, Miller said,
"I will not enter a courtroom that pretends justice is blind while it serves political agendas. They call this a trial, but it is nothing more than a spectacle to satisfy public outrage. I am being dragged here not for the law, but for the whims of those who fear the truth of my actions."
The prosecution presented a briefing of the charges, emphasizing on Miller’s alleged responsibility for policies and actions that contributed to the 2016–2017 Davidson riots, which resulted in 2,572 deaths and 4,102 injuries. Key allegations included the 9 PM social gathering ban, forced closure of small businesses, and the imprisonment of 73 political activists at Davidson Community Hall in September 2016.
Day 2
On March 18, the second day of the proceedings began with a formal reading of the charges before the High Court of Robloxia. Miller was escorted into the court room under heavy security like the previous day, however remained largely silent as proceedings began, while nodding to deny claims. The court focused on the alleged crimes including incitement of violence during the 2016–2017 Davidson riots, abuse of office, bribery, and criminal negligence. At 10 AM, shortly after the trial began, testimony was collected from former city council member David E. Smith who described instances where Miller allegedly bribed council votes to push controversial policies, including the closure of small businesses, excessive surveillance and the 9 PM social gathering ban. Past letters and video recordings of council meetings were introduced as evidence, which included Miller's aggressive tones and instructions. A former law enforcement officer, Mark Davis, stated that Miller instructed the law enforcement on using lethal force against protesters, although no formal evidence were given at that time.
Day 3
On March 19, the third day of proceedings, the court focused on the 73 arrests at Davidson Community Hall. The trial began at 9:30 AM. Prosecutors presented recordings of Miller naming the 73 individuals to be detained. Witnesses testified that Miller bribed council members and local judges to authorize the arrests and that Miller allegedly did this to remove political opponents. Miller was seen to sip a glass of water saying, "I am exhausted by this pointless trial", prompting the judge immediately reinforce order. Vance told that such statements would affect his conduct and behavior in the court. During the trial, testimony was taken again from former council member David E. Smith who recalled private conversations. Miller emphasised on the political necessity of removing opponents and described strategies to frame the arrests as lawful actions against “public order”. Former law enforcement officer, Mark Davis, described the execution of the detentions. Financial records suggested unexplained transfers of money to local judges and law enforcement members.
Day 4
On March 20, the fourth day of the proceedings took place. It began on 9:30 AM, similar to the previous two days. On this day, there was heightened security and increasing public attention from the nation. The proceeding shifted its attention from the 73 arrests at Davidson Community Hall towards how such actions contributed to the 2016–2017 Davidson riots; Chief Justice Marisol Vance opened the session by confirming the continuation of evidence review and warning both legal teams against excessive interruptions, as the prosecution began by recalling former law enforcement officer Mark Davis for further cross-examination, during which he provided additional clarification on operational orders allegedly issued from the mayor’s office, stating that officers were instructed not only to detain specific individuals but also to “maintain dominance” in public spaces following the arrests. The prosecution team argued that this was used to suppress politics and the society rather than restoring order. However, the defendant team argued that the language was interpreted wrongly and a terminology for the riot control. The court reviewed newly submitted internal police communications, including radio transcripts and dispatch logs from September 2016 through early 2017. These pieces of evidence indicated aggressive tactics in controlling the 2016-2017 Davidson Riots. During the afternoon session, the prosecution introduced financial documentation linking Miller to alleged financial bribery crimes where there were unexplained transfer of money to local judges and council members. Media report, surveillance footage and emergency logs were used to indicate how the riots intensified through days and the prosecution team attempted to connect it with Miller’s actions.
Day 5
On March 21, the fifth day of the proceedings, the High Court session began at 9:30 AM as usual with many individuals present there calling the atmosphere inside and outside the courtroom “heightened”. Helena Johnson delivered an extensive summary of the case, systematically linking the policies enacted under Miller’s administration to the escalation of violence during the 2016–2017 Davidson riots. Johnson emphasised on Miller’s patterns of decision-making, arguing that Miller’s actions were not isolated incidents but part of a purposeful effort to consolidate control through suppression of opposition, stating the September 2016 detention of 73 activists at Davidson Community Hall as a major moment. Johnson further argued that Miller’s alleged instructions to law enforcement, supported by testimonies and internal communications, demonstrated a conscious disregard for civilian safety. The defence team challenged the interpretation of evidence, asserting that Miller’s policies were implemented during a period of instability and were intended to restore order rather than to cause violence. Defence attorneys argued that the evidence was not presented properly to show the intent.
Day 6
March 22, the sixth day of the trial began on 10 AM. The courtroom was filled with legal observers, journalists, and members of the public, while additional security measures were implemented to manage large crowds gathered outside the courthouse. Chief Justice Marisol Vance opened the session by confirming that the court had completed its deliberations and was prepared to deliver its decision. In a detailed statement, the court found Eric Joseph Miller guilty on multiple charges, including manslaughter, abuse of office, bribery, criminal negligence, and the unlawful detention of political opponents. The ruling highlighted the September 2016 arrests at Davidson Community Hall, stating that the detentions were carried out with the intent of eliminating political opposition rather than maintaining public order. The court further concluded that Miller’s actions, including directives given to law enforcement and his failure to prevent escalating violence, had significantly contributed to the scale of casualties during the riots.