Tucson Couple Arrested As "Freemen"

KOLD-TV Tucson ^ | November 6, 2002

[Shermy]

A Tucson couple, who operate under their own courts and laws, is in trouble for taking things too far.

Whitney Starr and her husband, David Vigil, are part of a local group calling themselves "Freemen." They've been arrested for filing several false leins against officials in Oro Valley. It's not clear whether they're related to a group in Montana. This latest incident started when a relative got a ticket last year for driving without a license and registration. The group fought back by going after the officials' property.

John Evans, of the Arizona Attorney General's Office, says, "That ended up with these people assisting and filing enormous leins against police officers, most of the Oro Valley City Council (and) the Mayor, alleging that they owed the Starr's millions of dollars."

The liens were eventually dismissed. Authorities searched a home on the west side Monday and seized some evidence. The couple has been released on their own recognizance. However, police are looking for several other members of the group.

[sockmonkey]

Oh, shades of the Republic of Texas folks who were doing this a few years ago. Losers.

[from occupied ga]

How is this any different than a bunch of sociopath laywers and greedy government bureaucrats filing false claims of damage against the tobacco and gun industries? (other than the shoe is on the other foot)

[ArrogantBustard]

It isn't any different. Barratry is repulsive no matter who engages in it.

[Centurion2000]

How is this any different than a bunch of sociopath laywers and greedy government bureaucrats filing false claims of damage against the tobacco and gun industries?

Yeah, the hypocrisy is pretty sickening isn't it ?

They may have their corner of nutdom all staked out, but these people are at least fighting back at a broken system.

[Deguello]

"shades of the Republic of Texas folks"

A lot of these guys were shot. Civil action on their part was countered with firearms.

[general_re]

As a duly empowered officer of the Spelling Police, I hereby declare this article to be under arrest for a Section 12 violation - willfully (and inconsistently) spelling "lien" as "lein"....

[from occupied ga]

John Evans, of the Arizona Attorney General's Office, ...

I especially like this since the state attorneys general were the primary conspirators against the tobacco industry.

[from occupied ga]

The question now becomes will King George II (Bush that is) and his new Republican majority pass tort reform? Or will this long overdue bit of legislation (loser pays) die a quiet and unheralded death? This would cut way back on frivolous lawsuits.

[Greek]

Thanks for the post. He liened me and my law firm.

[Blood of Tyrants]

The difference is the lawyers donate mucho bucks to the Rat party.

[arepublicifyoucankeepit]

I don't think anyone should be so hard on the "Freemen". I thought they have a lot of guts. From what I read of them some years ago they are taking a stand against some of the unconstitutional laws that have been imposed on U.S. citizens. We are supposed to have a right to travel freely. Traveling is not a privilege it is a necessity. We should not have to pay for liscenses and registrations. This was not the intention of the founding fathers. It's another way for the state to tax us.

[american spirit]

Well, considering we now have about 60 million codes, rules, regulations ,etc. on the books (99.9% of which are unconstitutional) being administered by many of the most corrupt individuals we've seen in this country I think it's way past time for citizens to defend their property and personal liberty.

[from occupied ga]

The difference is the lawyers donate mucho bucks to the Rat party.

Yes, well we'll see if the Republicans "walk the walk" now or just come up with another series of excuses as to why they can't reduce government spending cut programs etc. won't we. I personally think that there are more similarities than differences between the two parties, but the Republicans have a chance to prove all of us cynics realists wrong now. I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for it though.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Popular programs will be easily passed; partial birth abortion is a good example. But remember it only takes 41 senators to filibuster any "radical" legislation.

[from occupied ga]

But remember it only takes 41 senators to filibuster any "radical" legislation

True, but I'll be surprised if any legislation to check runaway government growth and intrusiveness is even introduced. I do expect that the miniscule tax cuts that Bush got through will become permanent, but I wouldn't be surprised if even this falls by the wayside. Let's see if the Republicans have the intelligence to let the semiauto ban expire. Don't hold your breath here either. Getting rid of the National endowment for the arts would show that their hearts are in the right place (wouldn't you love to hear the liberal screams if this were to happen?) but I don't expect this to even hit the radar screen.