Before trial, Mr. Daniels asserted a full-throated sovcit defense. One would think that, given the fact that he had taken a big bunch of Uncle Sam's toxic bank notes at gunpoint, he would be rather poorly-positioned to argue a lack of joinder with the government. But, as shown by these highlights of the Seventh Circuit decision, that didn't stop him from giving it the ol' college try:
The court told him “during the trial, you’ll have to act in a civil manner. And if any time during the trial you decide to be disruptive, which I hope you don’t, then I will have no alternative but to consider that you have surrendered your right to be in the courtroom during your trial … .” The court asked Daniels if he had “anything to say about that,” to which Daniels responded, “Yes. I conditionally accept your offer that trial is not needed. Pending my ongoing private administrative remedy will make any proceedings along with this trial moot and I do not participate in any of the public benefits which this court have to offer.”
District Court judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan was shockingly unimpressed by these arguments, and Mr. Daniels was struck from the seating chart for the trial. He was instead invited to watch the proceedings via video feed from his private chambers at the local Federal Government Special Guest Housing Facility, but declined the opportunity.The district court directed Daniels twice to raise his hand to be sworn in, but
Daniels did not comply. At that point the Marshal directly asked him “Are you going to raise your hand?” and Daniels said “No.” Daniels then began reading nonsense from a prepared script. This passage is illustrative of the totality of his comments: “I conditionally accept upon proof of claim that as a secure party creditor and a holder in due course have I not tendered payment with the CFO and the clerk of this Court to discharge all debts and liabilities and obligation of the defendant according to the commercial code of this state, UCC 3-603. And upon proof of claim that with no outstanding charges, the defendant, Terry Daniels, I move the Court to enforce the laws of the state to discharge the collateral — namely, myself — and set at liberty now. Are you refusing my tender of payment, Judge?”
On appeal, he naturally took exception to these grievous violations of his rights; but Judges Wood, Flaum and Manion are obviously in on the conspiracy as well.
Secure party creditor Terrance Daniels is now extremely secure at Terre Haute United States Penitentiary and Sovereign Special Embassy, and is scheduled to remain there until November 22, 2063 (though given the fact that he is currently 48 years old, there is sadly some risk that he will not be able to fully utilize the government's largesse).
NOTE: There are actually two Terrance Daniels in federal housing; the other is a 22-year-old who should be out in less than 2 years. I have not actually run down the records to positively confirm which one is which. But given the mandatory minimums for use-of-a-firearm-during-a-felony convictions, it seems impossible that two robberies plus two gun crimes could add up to that short of a stretch.
