The Region - News from Jan. 17, 1986

Attorneys for accused Soviet spy Richard W. Miller expressed fears about the former FBI agent’s personal safety at Terminal Island federal prison while he awaits the start of his second trial next month. Although Miller, 48, is kept in a one-man cell in a special section of the prison for protective-custody prisoners, he has had mail stolen--assertedly by other prisoners--and has been subjected to pointed questioning by others inside the prison, said Joel Levine, one of his defense attorneys. Levine and co-defense attorney Stanley Greenberg asked U.S. District Judge David V. Kenyon to move Miller from his cell to a room inside the prison’s hospital to ensure his safety. Assistant U.S. Atty. Russell Hayman opposed the move, saying that Miller has never been in physical danger and that “there is no increased risk” by keeping Miller where he is now. Kenyon took the motion under submission. Miller’s first trial ended in a mistrial in November after the jury deadlocked.