Accused Oliver gun smuggler faces trial by judge and jury, whether he likes it or not

PENTICTON – An Oliver indigenous man who continues his refusal to recognize the Canadian judicial system had his trial options decided for him in Penticton court today.

Alex Louie appeared on his own behalf in Penticton court via video from the Okanagan Correctional Centre today, April 12, for the purpose of deciding his trial mode.

Louie is facing on nine counts of smuggling and firearms charges stemming from an incident on Feb. 1, 2017, when it is alleged he attempted to cross into Canada from the United States at the Osoyoos border crossing with two handguns wired to the undercarriage of his vehicle.

Louie recited a demanding, repetitious mantra to court, referring to “a trust that has been declared deceased,” several times as he refused to cooperate with proceedings.

Judge Gregory Koturbash registered no reaction to Louie’s rantings and patiently moved the hearing forward during pauses in Louie’s demands.

Louie renounced his Canadian citizenship and “surrendered the person called in the certificate of birth in the name of Alex Louie,” referring to himself as Simqueet. He demanded the court release him and return all his property, telling the judge to “cease and desist your unlawful activity.”

Louie is associated with the Freemen on the Land movement, a group of individuals who believe they are bound by laws only if they consent to them.

The judge read aloud Louie’s trial options, while the accused continued to recite his mantra. When Louie failed to respond to questions, Judge Koturbash declared Louie will tried before a judge and jury.

Louie's next appearance is scheduled for April 24, at which time a trial date will be set.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.