A former mayoral candidate and self-declared freeman represented himself in B.C. Supreme Court Monday, determined to appeal two convictions handed down earlier this year.
Brian Alexander intends to appeal an April 27 provincial court decision that ruled him guilty of speeding excessively and obstructing justice.
When he was pulled over for speeding on the Halston connector Nov. 4, 2010, Alexander refused to co-operate with police and called 911, falsely claiming he was being assaulted. Charges in Merritt, which arose from a similar confrontation with police there in 2011, were stayed in May.
Alexander considers himself a "freeman," a movement holding that individuals can choose to be sovereigns, not subject to the laws of the land.
He repeated that claim before Justice Dev Dley on Monday.
"I reserve common-law jurisdiction," he declared as he approached the bench, identifying himself as "an ally of her Majesty."
Crown prosecutor Tim Livingston said his office has received no notice of appeal and, therefore, an appeal hearing date should not be set. The Crown maintains that there are insufficient grounds for an appeal to be heard.
Alexander said he had submitted the document but had no reply from Crown as required. He said a key point in his appeal will contend that there was no driver's licence issued under his name, Brian Arthur Alexander.
"If they can't produce any evidence to the contrary, I maintain the charges should be (overturned)," he said.
Dley told Alexander he would not be giving legal advice and merely wanted to move the matter along by setting appeal hearing dates. He ordered Alexander to provide an outline of his case to Crown by Oct. 30. Crown must reply by Nov. 14 so the case can proceed on Nov. 26.
Alexander added that he cannot afford the $8,000 cost of court transcripts in order to make his case.
"Well, there you have a problem," Dley said, stating that the cost should not be borne by taxpayers. "Let me make this perfectly clear: If you want transcripts, you have to pay for them."
"You're confused and it's confusing me," Alexander shot back.
