(Memphis) Tabitha Gentry’s court appearance was a quick one Tuesday morning, with the judge setting her preliminary hearing on trespassing, burglary and theft charges.
It was long enough for Gentry to make a demand to be released.
“I demand to be released on the grounds, no jurisdiction established,” Gentry said to the judge.
With a 2 million dollar bond it’s unlikely Gentry is going anywhere.
After taking over an East Memphis mansion and claiming it as her own for days, Gentry faces serious charges.
Since jailed, she has also been reaching out to anyone and everyone, sending letters to the Shelby County Sheriff, Police Director, District Attorney, Mayor and even President Obama, telling them of her rights as a Moorish Citizen.
“I want to make a testimony. Did you get my paperwork?” Gentry asked the judge.
Expect to hear more when Gentry’s case goes to trial, since she now wants to defend herself.
“It’s a very dangerous situation. I compare it to operating on yourself,” says Attorney John Dolan. He isn’t involved in Gentry’s case, but he has represented Sovereign Citizens before, usually after they fail at trying to defend themselves.
“The system is here to protect the right of citizens and to present an organized way of dealing with legal disputes, both civil and criminal. These people who claim to be Sovereign Citizens are not acting in respect to that system at all,” says Dolan. “They are abusing the system because these cases need to move forward. We have 2,000 cases a day on the docket.”
The irony of it all is that even though sovereigns don’t recognize the law,they have the right to their day in court and to legal representation to make sure they are treated fairly.
Tabitha Gentry’s preliminary hearing will be April 10, 2013.