An Erie man charged with multiple felonies challenged constitutional laws in a Monroe court and claimed his rights were violated when police searched his home and confiscated several weapons. Philip R. Zapata, 36, of 6705 Preston St. said in First District Court Tuesday afternoon that he was not bound by Michigan laws, a belief typically shared by those known as sovereign-nation citizens.
“Your laws are violating my rights,” Mr. Zapata told First District Judge Jack Vitale. “My rights don’t come from the Constitution. My rights come from the creator.”
Acting in his own defense, Mr. Zapata challenged virtually every facet of the case, including the police identifying his residence on Preston, which he called his “family storage unit.” He also challenged the use of his name because it was printed on legal documents in capital letters. He referred to his name as a “dead entity.”
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Mr. Zapata claimed he was being conspired against by the judge and the prosecution, then called for a mistrial during a court hearing that is intended to determine whether a trial is to be held. The judge asked Mr. Zapata several times whether he wanted to hire a lawyer. Mr. Zapata sternly said “no” each time.
Erie man claims in court that laws violate his rights | MonroeNews.com
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