Schaeffer Cox, Militia Defendant, Takes Stand

In fourth week of trial, primary defendant speaks up

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By Kirsten Swann

Story Created: Jun 4, 2012 at 5:50 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Jun 4, 2012 at 5:50 PM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - Schaeffer Cox, charged along with two other men in a conspiracy to kill government officials, took the stand in his defense Monday afternoon.

Cox, Lonnie Vernon and Coleman Barney were all members of the Alaska Peacemaker’s Militia when they were arrested earlier this year for a slew of weapons violations and conspiracy charges. From the outset, federal prosecutors told jurors they’d hear from dozens of witnesses and 100 hours of surveillance recordings pointing towards plans for a violent government overthrow.

But going into the fourth week of trial in an Anchorage federal courtroom, Cox’s testimony painted a picture of a peaceful community organization bent on persistent social change.

“I don’t think you can change people’s minds with force,” Cox told jurors when asked about the militia’s plans for affecting social change. Instead, he said the organization focused on uniting neighbors while completing military training in preparation for “social breakdown.”

Cox mentioned Indian leader Mohandas Gandhi several times throughout his testimony, praising his ability to affect social change without violence. While that was the ultimate goal of the militia group, Cox said he was prepared for the imminent economic breakdown of the U.S. government. At that point, he said community safety might be dependant on the militia’s military capabilities.

Cox described strict standards for the use of deadly force: According to militia rules, he said it was only acceptable when there was no other recourse to prevent the loss of an innocent life. Ultimately, he said it came down to one principle.

“I don’t think there’s anything I wouldn’t do to protect my family,” Cox said.

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Anonymous said on Tuesday, Jun 5 at 12:44 PM

as they said on ADN " his hat is not going to save him " and some are strongly whining that the feds are using him as a scapegoat or infringing upon his rights somehow? People are people and some are out there and think or perceive others as threats when they are no threat at all. Needless to say domestic-terrorism takes on a whole new meaning. We need to hire those unemployed soldiers and make the community centers a place to gather once a week and talk about the live entertainment in the neighborhood. They coordinate with the AST and neighborhood watch in a community vehicle. We can let them come down off duty and get a real pic of USA... Catch these BOZO's before they really reak havic!

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While we are at it... said on Tuesday, Jun 5 at 3:37 PM

Checked out ADN and it seems the crimes are similar with our quitter putting "targets" on folk who end up getting shot? Where is that trial at? Oh right. Coming to Washington DC court soon...

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