In a time when good news is hard to come by a truck load was delivered this week when a unanimous NOT GUILTY verdict was handed down by a jury following a hotly contested and hard fought trial on Tom Cryer’s case. Hallelujah!! Never again doubt the power of prayer and hard work.
Nationally renowned tax defense attorney Larry Becraft was lead counsel backed up by long-time tax honesty advocate attorney George Harp. Larry turned in a flawless performance. Efforts by the government to prevent any testimony and evidence about the law resulted in rulings that prevented them from introducing any law or IRS procedural rules and Tom was not permitted to read to the jury from any of the key Supreme Court decisions. But those exclusions and limitations were repeatedly overcome as Larry and Tom shifted tactics and examination techniques to get the truth out for the jury to hear. Having two seasoned trial lawyers presenting the truth from both the podium and the witness box was a rare combination that was nothing less than a thing of beauty and Larry’s closing argument was truly compelling, placing the perfect “cherry” on top of a brilliantly conducted trial.
Tom Cryer’s testimony was inspirational as he clearly laid out his study of the law and the sequence of his conclusions, each leading to the next. At one point the entire courtroom was spellbound as Tom gave a passionate and heartfelt explanation of how his fundamental rights, including his right to earn a living, were not from the Constitution—not from the government—but from his Creator, and that he received those rights with the first tiny breath of air he sucked into his lungs in 1949.
Truth Troopers came to attend the trial from as far away as Virginia, Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and elsewhere as well as friends and associates of Tom’s from Shreveport. These patriots, who the government perceives as a bunch of wild-eyed radicals and scofflaws, sat quietly and conducted themselves in a truly dignified manner, lending credibility and substance to the message of the truth and belying the government’s portrayal of the community. We are proud of each and every one of them.
Read th trial transcripts below
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
For the play-by-play account of the trial you can tune in to Larry Becraft’s and Tom Cryer’s Republic Broadcasting Network programs this Saturday ( www.republicbroadcasting.org). Both Larry and Tom will be on their two RBN programs and they will be taking questions at 800 313-9443.
Larry Becraft’s RBN show “airs” from 9-10 a.m. Central and Tom’s from 2-4 p.m. Central. A lot of the trial went on behind the scenes and you can be assured that there will be plenty of stories and tidbits of what actually goes on that even those attending could not see or hear.
NOTE: Tom Cryer has asked us to remind everyone that his victory is not a ticket to take on the beast single-handed. He warns that his course of action is too risky for most and that fighting together, protected by the First Amendment, is the best avenue for us to pursue. He says the antidote for a lie is the Truth.
TOM IS STILL IN THE HOLE
WE NEED TO HELP HIM CLIMB OUT
Although Tom Cryer has won an amazing victory for the cause of truth and the restoration of the rule of law, the battle was not won without paying a steep price. His practice has been ruined and he has incurred expenses he still has to meet. He is having to start all over again and we can help. Please do what you can, no matter how much or how little, by going to www.liefreezone.com and clicking “Send Help”.
You can donate to the cause on line through the paypal link or you can send help to Tom’s defense fund at the address provided.
TA FUNDS REQUEST REMINDER
(WE NEED TO STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS STILL HOT)
Tom Cryer’s victory proves that we can win. People WILL listen and CAN recognize the Truth when they hear it. But spreading that message is not free. Now is exactly the time to capitalize on this sensational news.
The recent request for Twenty FRN’s (about $1.54) has resulted in roughly five percent of us sending in this badly needed help. All Tom Cryer risked was everything he had, so can’t we ALL risk twenty “whatever those are”? Please (but as always, only if you can do so without financial injury) chip in to help TA follow through on this immense step forward. On line through the web site or send to Truth Attack, 4348 Youree Drive, Shreveport, LA 71105
PLEASE FORWARD THIS GOOD NEWS TO EVERYONE
DON'T LET THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION STOP SPREADING
WWW.TRUTHATTACK.ORG
...................................................................
From truth attack.org
July 13, 2007
We the jury find the Defendant, Tommy K. Cryer.........
ON COUNT 1, NOT GUILTY
ON COUNT 2, NOT GUILTY
By Gary Thomason
gt@truthattack.org
Dear Fellow Truth Troopers,
Early reports have been spreading, circulating around the tax honesty
community that Shreveport, Louisiana lawyer, Tommy K. Cryer has been
found NOT GUILTY of 'willful failure to file' charges by a 12-0 jury
verdict in the Federal District Court for Western Louisiana, in
Shreveport, LA. My friend it's TRUE and what follows is a summary of
the trial leading up to the emotionally inspiring verdict including
exclusive quotes courtesy of Mr. Tommy Cryer.
First, I want to thank each and everyone of you who attended the trial
for your unwavering support and peaceful, respectful nature during
every phase of this historical trial where Mr. Cryer, the truth AND
the rule of law prevailed today, July 11, 2007 in the United States of
America. Truth Attack had approximately 25 Truth Troopers (some from
as far away as 1,200 miles!) attending the three-day proceedings
topping the historical event off with a "victory for the rule of law"
celebration after the unanimous not guilty verdict was read in open
court.
Today, July 11, 2007 Mr. Tommy K. Cryer, a lawyer from Shreveport,
Louisiana was found not guilty by a 12-0 verdict on two separate
counts of violating Title 26 Section 7203, willful failure to file
federal income tax returns for the "tax-years" 2000 and 2001
respectively, which carried a two-year prison sentence had the
government prevailed.
The trial began July 9. 2007 at 8:30 AM at the United States District
Court for Western Louisiana located at 300 Fannin Street in
Shreveport, Louisiana. Judge Maurice Hicks presided over the trial,
Earl Campbell represented the Internal Revenue Service by and through
the U.S. Department of Justice and Mr. Larry Becraft represented Mr.
Tommy K. Cryer as lead defense counsel, with Mr. George Harp assisting.
Day One: July 9, 2007
The first order of business was a government Motion To Dismiss two of
the total four counts of the government's indictment. Originally, the
indictment was brought with two counts of "tax evasion" and two counts
of "willful failure to file" a federal income tax return. Mr. Cryer
was facing 5 + 5 years in federal prison and with the government
dropping its two counts of federal income tax evasion, Mr. Cryer's
exposure to jail time had been reduced to two years.
After the government's Motion to Dismiss was granted, jury selection
took place and the panel of 12 jurors and two alternates were seated
and were listening to opening arguments of the parties by 4:00 PM.
After opening arguments the Court recessed until 9:00AM Tuesday.
Day Two: July 10, 2007
Day Two...... Day Two started with the government presenting its case
in the morning session and Tom taking the stand and offering his
direct testimony until the close of yesterday's proceedings... The
government first brought an IRS supervisor to the stand... her
testimony established the paperwork flow and indicated that Tommy
filed "employer" documentation for his "employee" but did not file his
individual returns.
Next was Tommy's secretary... she did not show up as a hostile witness
towards the prosecution... but in the same breath, she did not give
the government any help when she testified that she fills out all of
her own IRS from required of the employer, and even writes and signs
most of the checks! The DOJ tried to get in a point in that area...
and she said that Tommy gave her the option to file or not-- then he
abruptly stopped her... then on another question... she added that it
was her choice to file even after she found out that there was no law
making he liable-- where of course, he cut her off again.
The CPA took the stand and testified to profit and loss statements
related to Tommy's practice of law... he simply established the
numbers but never stated with authority to the lawful and legal
definition of income... Larry was able to establish that the CPA had
only a very insignificant understanding of the IRC.
The government's final witness was an IRS "special agent" in the
Criminal Investigation Division who testified to the 'audits' of Tom's
business and on Larry's cross-exam made it clear that the 'Code" is
enormous and he only knew small bits and pieces of some of it... The
IRS used Section 61 of the IRC to prop up its claim of liability to
file and pay income taxes... but failed to clarify the first phrase of
Section 61... which state, "Except as otherwise provided..."
After lunch Tom took the stand... There were some fireworks during
Tom's testimony and the judge was clearly aggravated with the rule of
law being presented in 'his' courtroom... and several times stopped
Tom's testimony. One of those times the judge brought up the "Cheek"
ruling where Larry and the judge went around and around on Tom's right
to present his beliefs to the jury. The judge overruled and objection
of the prosecutor on another occasion but also warned Larry about the
"very narrow" path he's taking the case and will not allow Tom to
argue that the IRS is unconstitutional... which of course Tom never
intended to do and has not done in the least.
Day Two ended with the judge calling counsel into the judge's chamber
and unloading... venting his frustration mainly aimed at Larry and Tom
taking over the courtroom and plowing ahead with getting the Internal
Revenue Code... the Code of Federal Regulations the Constitution and a
plethora of Supreme Court cases in front of the jury. At the close of
the preceding day?s hearing... the judge ordered Larry to turn over
Tom's notes and research to the DOJ as the court believed that Tom's
notebook filled with law and supporting Supreme Court cases was
"discovery" and therefore the DOJ was entitled to it, which is a
crucial turning point that must be noted.
Larry agreed with the court and the defense team looked forward to
seeing more of it in the record and presented to the jury during
cross-examination of Tom's beliefs. The U.S. Department of Justice
walked out of "Day Two" with years of Tommy Cryer's research that was
condensed into a very well organized presentation, which proved that
not only did Mr. Cryer believe what he had researched, but also proof
that there is no law making him liable for any federal income tax on
his right to earn a living.
Day three promises to be very interesting! The parties will meet prior
to the start to discuss jury instructions before the jury is brought
in and seated. The DOJ opens day three with cross-examination and
Larry's re-direct may well occur before noon and closing arguments
will surely take place before the close of today's proceedings...
Day Three: July 11
Tommy Cryer was seated at the witness stand and the U.S. Attorney
opened his cross examination of Mr. Cryer with a series of questions
establishing the fact pattern aimed at 'proving' that Mr. Cryer had
'income' and earned 'income' in the course of practicing law. Mr.
Cryer had no effort to deny that he earned fees in exchange for his
labor.
The line of questioning turned to finer points of the Internal Revenue
Code related to Sections addressing the 'tax imposed' one 'income'
from whatever source derived. Listening very carefully Mr. Cryer
addressed the spin on commonly used terms and pointed out that certain
terms in the law had application of strict construction as ruled
consistently by the U.S. Supreme Court. An argument of sorts ensued
between the U.S. Attorney and Mr. Cryer on these finer points and
ultimately the judge stopped the exchange and commented that the court
reporter was having difficulty making the record.
Stepping back, the U. S. Attorney turned to Mr. Cryer and engaged a
line of questions that addressed two U.S. Court of Appeals cases and
asked Mr. Cryer if he had any occasion to read the rulings in those
cases. Mr. Cryer explained to the jury that one of the cases the U.S.
Attorney quoted was in the form of a footnote, and the other had
nothing to do with a 'willful failure to file' action to which was the
matter before this court.
The U.S. Attorney read into the record the 'footnote' of the first
case he had asked Mr. Cryer about, and Mr. Cryer leaned forward and
noted for the record and the jury that the full statement the Court of
Appeals issued in its footnote clearly stated that neither party
briefed the issue on appeal and it had no bearing on the opinion of
the Court.
It should be noted that (with Mr. Cryer's trial notes in hand) at this
point the U.S. Government (the IRS and the DOJ) did not make any
effort to contest any of the content of Mr. Cryer's testimonial
notebook, which was organized in such a fashion that anyone with
experience in legal research could follow the line of reasoning that
Mr. Cryer had used in order to arrive at his heartfelt beliefs.
The U.S. Attorney held up Mr. Cryer's 108-page Memorandum and cited
one phrase coined from a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that pointed out...
that the income tax (Internal Revenue Code) is
unconstitutional--expecting a "yes" or "no" answer. Mr. Cryer kindly
directed the U.S. Attorney back to the Memorandum and stated that HE
didn't say that the Internal Revenue Code was unconstitutional... but
that the U.S. Supreme Court had held that AS APPLIED the income tax
WOULD BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL!
"No further questions your Honor."
Mr. Becraft approached Mr. Cryer and addressed each of the
government's efforts to derail Mr. Cryer's beliefs. One after one, the
defense closed each open gate espousing the government's contentions
and ended the re-direct with Mr. Cryer confidently stating that he
swore an oath to defend the rule of law and he had no other option
when it came to his beliefs, which are today as they were yesterday
and as they will be tomorrow, "There is NO LAW making me liable for
the federal income tax."
Counsel delivered closing arguments with the government addressing the
jury first and reserving time for rebuttal. The U.S. Attorney
stressed his argument that there is a law and the law made Mr. Cryer
Liable for the federal income tax system. Asking the jury to rule our
willfulness and in due turn, convict Mr. Cryer of breaking the law and
seeing to it that Mr. Cryer is found guilty of failing to do his duty
of filing federal income taxes.
Mr. Becraft started his closing arguments by informing the jury that
?today in this court room?? there are, in a sense, four branches of
the United States Government. Mr. Becraft pointed to the federal law
books and said that those books were written and the laws forged by
the legislative branch of our government, Congress. He continued by
giving generous praise to the U.S. Attorney for doing a fine job
representing the Executive branch of the federal government in the
courtroom. Mr. Becraft gestured to the judge and remarked that the
judicial branch of the government presided over this proceeding making
certain that justice and the rule of law remained intact according to
our Constitution.
Then, Mr. Becraft turned to the jury and said the fourth branch is the
jury? the American people that our founding fathers believed to be the
ultimate deciding factor as to whether justice is done.
Mr. Becraft?s eloquent summation of the jury?s duty to weigh the facts
in this case were so very vital to this ensuring that our system of
justice moved forward intact and secure. Mr. Becraft reviewed the
flow of testimony reminding the jury that nowhere during this trial
did Mr. Cryer deny or object the government as to advancing its
intention to show that he had earnings.
He went on to say that the issue in this case is Mr. Cryer?s beliefs
and the fact pattern that Mr. Cryer used as he presented his beliefs
were so convincingly delivered that even if they did not fully
understand the legal interpretations testified to, Mr. Cryer
undoubtedly believed those conclusions.
The Judge Hicks recessed for a break and upon return read the jury
instructions and the jury retired to the jury room. After a little
more than two hours of deliberation the judge called the parties into
the courtroom. There was a question as to jury instruction 17, which
centered on reasonable doubt and to willfulness. The court reviewed
the various jury instructions referencing those terms and after about
30 minutes of discussions and the approval of the parties, the court
delivered a clarification to the jury.
By this time it was 4:30PM and the judge asked the jury if they wanted
to recess for the day or continue? The reply was they wished to stay a
little longer to deliberate. The judge informed the parties and the
courtroom was cleared. Together, Mr. Cryer?s legal team and
supporters returned to the first floor waiting area of the courthouse.
At 4:33PM the U.S. Marshal summonsed Mr. Becraft and company and
announced that the jury had reached a verdict. Approximately at
4:35PM the jury returned to the courtroom and the customary tradition
of the passing of the verdict to the judge for entry into the record
and reading of it in open court took place.
Unanimously, NOT GUILTY.
Please stay tuned to www.truthattack.org for exclusive audio, video
and written interviews with Mr. Cryer and his legal defense team.
For questions please contact gt@truthattack.org
Mark your calendar! ! ! Larry Becraft has a radio show on Republic
Broadcasting on Saturday mornings from 9 to 10 AM, (central time).
Tommy Cryer's radio show is the same day, but at 2 to 4 PM, (central
time). Please make note! Tommy will be appearing on Larry?s show THIS
Saturday, July 14, 2007 and Larry will join Tommy at 2 to 4PM taking
your questions and discussing the historical win in Shreveport?so tune
in if you want to find out more.
Tune in here?
Gary Thomason
PS? Please share this message with your friends and encourage them to
get involved ! ! !
Slay the BEAST with a MOUSE - www.truthattack.org
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