A Merritt "freeman" will sit in jail through the Canada Day holiday weekend after he refused to acknowledge to the court his name.
Lance Thatcher was arrested in Merritt Wednesday. He is charged with breach of probation for failing to report to a probation officer as required.
In Kamloops court Thursday, Thatcher refused to acknowledge he was, in fact, Lance Thatcher.
"Are you referring to me?" he said.
"I know who you are, I've dealt with you before," said Judge Chris Cleaveley.
"Are you a mind reader, sir?" Thatcher continued.
"Stop. That's just nonsense," Cleaveley replied.
"What evidence do you have that I have that name?" Thatcher said.
Prosecutor Stephen Lawhead said the Crown opposes Thatcher's release on bail pending a trial of the charges, saying it is likely he will not appear for future court appearances and might commit other criminal offences.
The judge asked if Thatcher should be examined by psychiatric experts.
Lawhead said accused individuals must consent to such examinations. As well, there seems no basis beyond Thatcher's refusal to provide his name to conclude he is not mentally fit.
In the end, the authorities decided to give Thatcher the weekend to consider his position. He will be brought back to court Monday.
Thatcher's behaviour suggests he subscribes to beliefs touted by the Freemen Association of Canada, a group that says Canadians have been enslaved by government. They also purport to be governed by the "common law," not the Criminal Code or other Canadian legislation, which they describe as "admiralty law."
Freemen say they do not consent to be governed by such law, and believe they do not have to pay taxes or engage in many other forms of government bureaucracy, including registering vehicles or obtaining driver licences.
He has a past history with Merritt authorities and has refused to co-operate with law enforcement officials several times