Cherron Marie Phillips indicted

[Burnaby49]

Finally. I get to sit back and read a court report by a fellow Quartloosian! Well done Morrand, keep it up; the possibility for bizzare antics by the defendant are endless and we need someone on the spot to relate them.

[notorial dissent]

Yes, this has been very enjoyable, clear and concise, and definitely conveys the flavor of the experience. Sorry about the headache, can well imagine.

I am quite sure she has every intention of disrupting these proceedings just like she has all the previous ones, but it doesn't sound like this judge is in the mood to play and has short circuited most of her obvious antics, and she is pouting as a result. She has no intention of cooperating, knows exactly what she is doing, and has every intention of derailing if at all possible. I think the fact that she has appointed counsel whether she likes it or not, and has been told in no uncertain terms, "NO, YOU'RE NOT", has put a severe kink in her plans. I'm actually surprised she showed up today, maybe even is dimly realizing that she isn't going to get any latitude this time and maybe had better behave, although I really doubt it. She has plenty of time to sink her case yet, and I am rather sure she'll find a way to do it before it is all over with.

[LightinDarkness]

Does anyone know what sort of jail time she is facing for this? I am curious to see what the range is and what she ends up with (the maximum, I would suppose).

[wserra]

Thanks, morrand, for the account. It is typical. I sat through one of these at counsel table (as legal advisor) and saw pieces of a couple of others (as an observer).

The same defendant who was a legal Rambo on paper frequently becomes a mouse in front of the jury. All that may change tomorrow, because these folks aren't wrapped too tight. But about now it starts to sink in to all but the densest brains that the Court isn't kidding.

[notorial dissent]

Well, at least one would hope so, if only for her sake, but the stupid on some of these is impenetrable. She hasn't shown much in the way of sense so far, so not an auspicious start.

[cynicalflyer]

Cherron Phillips, the follower of the anti-government sovereign citizen movement on trial in federal court in Chicago, declined to testify in her own defense this morning, telling the judge, “I have not consented to this legal process.”

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/loca ... 4124.story

[AndyK]

The only remaining question:

Will the jurors hold out for lunch / dinner OR return a quick verdict to get back home?

[Cathulhu]

After suffering two days of this, I think they deserve dinner. Pity it doesn't extend to cocktails, but I can see that would be potentially detrimental to the justice process.

[AndyK]

What a phenomenal idea to shorten jury deliberations.

Guarantee the jurors an open-bar cocktail party AFTER they return a verdict -- the length of the party inversely proportional to the amount of time they spend deliberating.

[Cathulhu]

Hey, I like it! Sure would have shortened any of the four or five juries I've been on.

Funny story, sorta. In 1986 I was impaneled into a two month trial for sexual harassment. The brightest spot (aside from nicknaming everyone when we were sequestered) was the judge, a kind and personable man. I liked him so much that when the trial was over, I asked him to marry me--to my now spouse. The ceremony was in the same courtroom, and my mom sat in my chair in the jury box. Delightful man, that judge. A real sweetheart.

[notorial dissent]

What a delightful story, congratulations. Probably the best and happiest ending out of the whole sorry mess.

[The Observer]

I liked him so much that when the trial was over, I asked him to marry me--to my now spouse.

Let me get this straight. You found the guy guilty of sexual harassment, then married him?

[LPC]

Cherron Phillips, the follower of the anti-government sovereign citizen movement on trial in federal court in Chicago, declined to testify in her own defense this morning, telling the judge, “I have not consented to this legal process.”

Reading that, I'm reminded that there are good reasons for that kind of stuff to take place out of the presence of the jury.

But I'm pretty sure that Phillips doesn't understand those reasons, and probably thinks the judge is trying to hush something up. Which he is, but it's for her benefit.

One other comment: The defense lawyer's cross-examinations to show that the liens that were filed did no harm were probably all that he could do, but "harm" is not an element of the crime. Filing false liens is like discharging a weapon, or setting off an explosion. In the interests of public safety and order, the government can punish doing something that is dangerous or malicious regardless of whether or not anyone is harmed. (Notwithstanding the rants of Marc Stevens to the contrary.)

[Cathulhu]

Obs, you're way off base. I was a jury member, engaged to a radio broadcaster, and stuck on a trial where A was suing B for sexual harassment. We found B guilty. Then when it was all over and we could actually speak with the lawyers and judge and clerks, I told the dear judge that my fiance and I were looking to get married without a damn dog and pony show, so did he do marriages? He smiled endearingly and agreed to marry me and my now-spouse (27 years and counting) who had nothing whatsoever to do with the trial or harassment. What on earth made you think my sweet baboo was the frickin' defendant?

Without the dog and pony show, our main wedding cost was for cases of champagne. Hey, I didn't say we didn't have a party. We actually had three.

[AndyK]

Observer, either accidentally or intentionally, omitted

[Cathulhu]

I'm sorry, but I did expect confusion from someone who defends Fox News.

[Dr. Caligari]

Will the jurors hold out for lunch / dinner OR return a quick verdict to get back home?

According to the article linked above, they deliberated for two and a half hours and found her guilty.

[notorial dissent]

Well, color me surprised. NOT!!!! I suspect the only real question left is for how long and what stupid thing she'll do next.

[webhick]

I'm sorry, but I did expect confusion from someone who defends Fox News.

The politics behind that comment has no place on this forum.

[LightinDarkness]

From the Chicago Tribune article:

On Wednesday, the years of frivolous court motions and often bizarre behavior caught up with Phillips as a federal jury convicted her of 10 counts of retaliation against a federal official by filing false claims.

Following the verdict, U.S. District Judge Michael Reagan ordered Phillips taken into custody, calling her “a paper terrorist” who “will continue on her misguided bent” if he allowed her to remain free until her sentencing in October.

VICTORY! After 2 years of trying every sov'run gibberish incantation in the book, a guilty verdict. And on top of it all, she gets to sit in custody until sentencing due to her antics.