A Merritt man who refuses to tell the court his name will spend three more nights in jail as the Crown brings in witnesses to prove his identity.
For a second time since his arrest on breach of probation charges last week, Lance Thatcher refused to acknowledge he is Lance Thatcher, telling the judge he prefers to be addressed as "Peaceful."
"I believe there has been a mistake. I'm here to help settle the mistake in honour," he told provincial court judge Sheri Donegan. "I trust I will not be led into dishonour."
"Are you Lance Edward Thatcher?" the judge asked the man directly.
"That's a mistake. Somebody feels I own (the name) or have a claim on it," he said. "I am here to help out to settle this matter in honour."
The judge temporarily adjourned the hearing to allow the Crown time to find a way to prove Thatcher's identity.
Prosecutor Stephen Lawhead returned a short while later and said he can call witnesses who know Thatcher, but not until later in the week. Thatcher's probation officer is expected to identify the man.
Thatcher told the court only he can identify himself.
"Nobody can identify me except me," he said.
"Are you prepared to identify yourself?" Donegan asked.
"I am me, yes. This is me. I am me," he answered.
The judge sent him on his way in the company of the courtroom sheriffs.
This is not the first time Thatcher has refused to identify himself to the courts, police officers or other authorities. A term of his most recent probation order requires him to give his proper name to police or probation officers when asked.
It's not known if Thatcher is practicing some form of "freeman" ideology. The Freeman Association of Canada encourages people to believe Canada's laws do not apply to them. May so-called freemen refuse to use their legal names, or alter the spelling of their names with the odd use of punctuation.
A different judge last week suggested Thatcher might be mentally ill, and asked if a psychiatric assessment might be required. The prosecutor said at this stage, there is no grounds to order such an assessment.
Thatcher will be back in court Thursday.
