Objective coverage of church-state and religious liberty developments, with extensive links to primary sources.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
"Common Law Court" Members Attempt To Disrupt Tax Evasion Trial
Today's St. Paul Pioneer Press reports on the indictment Monday of four people on conspiracy charges in an attempt to disrupt the tax evasion trial of millionaire businessman Robert Beale. Beale and three others who were charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice and conspiracy to impede an officer, purport to operate a "common law court" under the jurisdiction of "Almighty Yaweh". They issued "arrest warrants" against federal judge Ann Montgomery, who was assigned to preside over Beale's trial yesterday. They also issued warrants against county sheriff and jail officials, obtained fraudulent liens against them. In a jailhouse phone call recorded by investigators, Beale told his common-law wife: "(God) wants me to destroy the judge. That judge is evil. He wants me to get rid of her."