FAIRBANKS — The state justice
system is not showing much patience with Schaeffer Cox’s efforts
to defy the court.
A Fairbanks court issued a warrant for the arrest of the 26-year
old militia leader after he failed to attend his own trial for a
misdemeanor weapons misconduct charge Monday.
Cox had been charged with failing to disclose his possession of
a concealed handgun in the presence of a police officer. He will
now face an additional charge for failing to appear. Both
offenses are class B misdemeanors. Bail was set at $7,500.
“I can only conclude he (Cox) chooses not to participate,”
Superior Judge Michael McConahy said about 20 minutes after the
trial’s scheduled start time Monday morning, according to the
court transcript.
The judge said Cox knew the trial was scheduled to take place
because he attended a pre-trial hearing on Friday.
The judge dismissed prospective jury members and set an April 4
date for Cox’s next hearing.
Cox belongs to a “Liberty Bell” network that sends out mass
messages when someone believes their rights are being violated.
He is also a leader in the local Second Amendment Task Force and
the Peacemaker’s Militia.
His weapons misconduct charge stems from March 2010, when he
monitored a police walk-through of an Eighth Avenue house.
Fairbanks police said Cox did not immediately declare that he
was carrying a Ruger .380-caliber semiautomatic pistol when
contacted by an officer.
At previous hearings in the case, Cox has vowed not to attend
his arraignment, refused to remove his hat and spoken at length
about his objections to the proceedings.
The prosecution has challenged Cox’s ability to serve his own
attorney and also requested a court order prohibiting him from
bringing up issues beyond the scope of the case.
Cox’s whereabouts are unknown, and he did not return a phone
call Tuesday.
