Magistrate Enters Innocent Pleas For Freemen Jacobi Removed From Courtroom Following Several Disruptions

A U.S. Magistrate entered innocent pleas Thursday for five freemen on charges of conspiracy, bank and mail fraud, firearms violations and threatening to kidnap and kill a federal judge.

Dale Jacobi, 54, was removed from the courtroom before the 51-count indictment against him was read, after several disruptions.

“I hope your mother is really proud of you, wearing that wedding dress,” Jacobi told U.S Magistrate Richard Anderson.

Anderson ordered him moved to a holding cell next to the courtroom, where he could hear the arraignment proceedings via closed circuit television.

Anderson entered innocent pleas for Ralph Clark, Emmett Clark, Rodney Skurdal, Jacobi and Cherlyn Petersen, all of whom surrendered last week after an 81-day standoff with FBI agents on a foreclosed wheat farm near Jordan.

“I charge you with one count of perjury and one count of treason,” Skurdal told Anderson after objecting to the judge entering a plea for him.

“You’re welcome,” Anderson replied.

Emmett Clark appeared to doze several times as Anderson read the lengthy, 51-count indictment.

Also Thursday, 21-year-old Casey Clark appeared before Anderson for a bond hearing.

“At this time I don’t want bail,” said Clark, who looks much younger than his 21 years. Asked why, he replied, “Because I don’t trust (Garfield County attorney) Nick Murnion.”

Murnion is one of the many officials threatened by the freemen. He was involved in a bank foreclosure of ranches owned by Emmett and Richard Clark.

Ralph Clark, 65, the only freeman to accept counsel, appeared by himself and waived the reading of the 51-count indictment. He refused to enter a plea. His attorney, John Keith of Great Falls, said his client has a limited ability to understand the charges against him.

Emmett Clark, 67, and Skurdal, 43, also appeared on a four-count indictment charging them with threatening U.S. District Judge Jack Shanstrom and other officials involved in the ranch foreclosure. They refused to enter pleas on those charges.

Preliminary hearings for other freemen defendants, which had been set for today, have been delayed until next week.