Arrest Warrant Issued for God
Huh, so God seems to have a drinking problem, explains a lot doesn’t it? This case brings to mind the burden and expectations that can come with a name. The late renowned Jazz bagpiper Rufus Harley named his son Messiah. Dang, thats a lot to live up to!
A MAGISTRATE today issued an arrest warrant for a man who failed to turn up to court because he is “God” and above the law.March 27, 2008 | www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph | By Tony Keim
Richard James Howarth was remanded to appear in the Ipswich Magistrate’s Court to answer a string of traffic offences, including four counts of driving with a blood alcohol content more than three times the legal limit.However, his lawyers said he failed to appear after having earlier informed them he would not talk to them because he is was the almighty and above answering to Queensland laws.
Early this month, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service solicitor Kevin Rose, for Howarth, told the court his client refused his office’s attempts to talk to them.
A court and a mental health expert have already deemed Howarth was mentally fit for trial, but Mr Rose maintained he has obvious mental health issues.
Mr Rose said he did not doubt Howarth genuinely believed he was God.
The court was told the Crown, including the Attorney-General and state prosecutors, were proceeding with numerous criminal charges against Howarth.
Mr Rose said his office continued to struggle to make contact with Howarth.
“We have trouble getting lucid instructions (from Howarth),” Mr Rose told the court.
Howarth is yet to enter pleas to four counts of driving under the influence of liquor, two of dangerous driving and failing to stop and one of speeding.
Mr Rose today said Howarth had yet to give them any instructions regarding whether he intended to plead guilty to the charges or defend them.
“I don’t think we’ve ever had instructions (from Howarth),” he said.
Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin said he had little option but to issue a warrant for his arrest.