United States v. Thomas
CR 87-62, 87-64
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
UNITED STATES
versus CR 87-61
Judge Charles Richey
STEPHEN SEMPLE, aka
SUNRISE
OBJECTIONS OF DEFENDANT SUNRISE
TO THE
PRESENTENCE REPORT
1. There is an error on the presentence report within
probation condition (2), which states: Remove (self) from park for
five cosecutive hours "(for sleeping)" every twenty-four hour
period. The phrase "(for sleeping)" is not in the order issued by
J. oberdorfer and should therefor be deleted.
2. I take strong exception to the representation
that: "Although defendant and his companions espouse non-violence
and biblical principles the defendant and his associates are often
verbally belligerent in their unsolicited espousal of rhetoric and
argumentativeness."
A) I do not claim to be the most polished of advocates,
however I do not believe that Mr. Hunter can substantiate that I
have been either "belligerent," unreasonably "argumentative," or
that I have uttered any word which would not be fully protected
under the laws of this country.
B) I do not believe that Mr. Hunter can substantiate that
any my co-defendants in this case have been either "belligerent,"
or unreasonably "argumentative."
C) Aside from my co-defendants in this case, I do not
believe that Mr. Hunter has any personal knowledge which would
enable him to distinguish my "companions" from other individuals,
whose "companionship" may amount to nothing more than that they
happen to be in the same public park at the same time, or indi-
viduals, who may not "espouse non-violence and biblical
principles," but with whom I am only attempting to achieve under-
standing.
3. My name should appear as "Sunrise aka Stephen Semple" on
all headings, and as "Sunrise", in all texts writen by this office
because of my First Amendment right to a religiously motivated name
change.
4. Since it is impossible for anyone to live in a post office
box, I declare my "LEGAL RESIDENCE" to be "wherever my heart is".
5. I do not consider myself to be a "citizen" of the U.S. or
any other country of this World. I was born into this World in
Washington D.C. on 3-28-61, However, I am not "owned" or
volontarily controled by any man or government of this World, I am
mearly "submiting myself to every ordinance of man for the Lord's
sake", (see Peter I 2:?) in order to seek, the true kingdom which
is a spiritual place within the soul, the righteousness of God, and
the good of men.(see Aq.Gospel 99:30). I therefor, declare my
citizenship to be defined as "universal".
6. The education section of the presentence report says that
my "education" consists of only 2 years college. I consider
everything that I have, am, and will experience to be part of my
education. Therefore, I declare that the education section would
more acuratly describe me if it would say "forever learning."
7. The social security section of this report claims that my
"social security number" is 226-86-3725. I do not see how this
number can secure me in any way. For there is no place on earth
that is "secure from moth, and rust and thieves," (see Bible verses
and Aq.Gosp. chapt.99:verses 16-22).
8. In this report you recomend that I be confined for a sixty
day period as a personal and general deterent. Since this would be
to deter me from the "crime" of "camping," I would submit that I
have taken steps to clear this matter up before the court, and the
probation office, by applying for a permit, from the superintendent
of the National Park Service, an agency which is responsible for
issuing permits "to authorize an otherwise prohibited or
restricted activity" [see sect. 36 CFR 1.6 (7-1-87 Edition)]. This
permit was approved on __________ 1988. (add attach).
9. Also in the recomendation section of this report, it
states that, "efforts to supervise the defendant in the community
have been to little avail as (a) Mr. Semple has not worked,(b) he
has not provided court ordered monies,(c) and continues to reside
in Lafayette Park."
(a) "Mr.Semple has not worked" is a false statement. I
work every day, I am working right now, my job is to "give my life
in service of my fellow men" (Aq. Gosp. 129:4).
(b) "he has not provided court ordered monies" is true,
however, this statement does not reflect the fact that I have taken
a vow of poverty, and that the little money I do receive, from
misc. unsolicited donations,and donations solicited from close
associates, only covers the most basic expenses like coffee,
cigarettes, and musical supplies. And that if I do receive that
much money, I will pay the court costs.
(c) "and continues to live in Lafayette Park." This
statement reflects an opinion held by certain
representatives of the government, court and probation
office, it is not the truth. I do not live anywhere on this earth,
as I have said repeatedly, I live in my heart. I use Lafayette
Park to demonstrate my lifestyle, which is an attempt to serve our
Father-God in heaven, by putting myself high upon the stand, which
is symbolic of putting a lamp high upon the stand so that it may
light the house. (see Aq. Gosp. 95:31-34, and bible Matt.5:?).
10. Mr. Hunter has stated that my mother told him she thought I
would benefit from "in patient physicatric treatment." I have
spoken to my mother, and she denies making such a statement. I
would like the court to hear testimony on this point from both my
mother and Mr. Hunter.
M. Hunter says that I have criticized the Reagan administration
by saying that his administration is responsible for the
proliferation of materialism. I believe this to be a
misrepresentation of my basic religious beliefs, for I am not here
to judge the world but to save the world by seeking God's
righteousness and encouaging all people of the world to do the same
before it is too late. (remember Lot)
(Washington Times cartoon 1-20 or 21, 1988)
11. Mr. Hunter misrepresents me as "a proponent of World
Peace and Anti-nuclear proliferation." The Court may be inclined
to view this objection as a matter of semantics, but I ask the
court to consider that Mr. Hunter has cast doubt on my sanity, and
recommended my incarceration.
A) I have met with Mr. Hunter many times, and have
constantly stated my goal as "Peace on Earth; good will to men."
I have repeatedly explained to Mr. Hunter that, in my vocabulary,
"World Peace" is a concept which relies on force and violence to
strip the Earth of resources, control food supplies and deny basic
neccessities to those in need because of money. I have stated to
Mr. Hunter that "Peace on Earth" means harmony between God, man,
and nature. Although "World Peace," and "Peace on Earth" may
appear to be synonomus, to my mind these terms represent concepts
which are as disparate as "God," and "Devil."
B) My opposition to nuclear weapons rests on moral,
rather than political reasons. I never spend my time on
"anti-nuclear proliferation." My time is spent on "pro-love
proliferation." Ultimately, I believe, pro-love proliferation
would eliminate nuclear proliferation, but only as a side effect.
It is my position the "Peace on Earth, and anti-hate proliferation"
equate to "Peace through Love," as distinct from "World Peace and
arms building" which equates to "Peace through Strength," and that
the two schools of thought are diametrically oppsed in principle.
At best, I think that Mr. Hunter's choice of words indi-
cates that he has no understanding of the principles which have
impelled me to be in Lafayette Park. I pray the Court will allow
testimony to determine whether Mr. Hunter has sufficient under-
standing of the my purpose, motives, and actions to write a report
which may effect the rest of my life.
12. I object to the premise that "efforts to supervise the
defendant ... have been to little avail as Mr. Semple has not
worked."
A) I believe that I have compiled a very good record
for keeping appointments with Mr. Hunter, so he has had ample
opportunity to supervise and/or "help" me.
B) I work everyday and Mr. Hunter knows exactly were to find
me.
Hopefully the Court will preceive that a "civilization" which
defines "war" as "peace" is on the wrong track. SEE, George
Orwell's book "1984." Perhaps "peace on Earth" factually is "world
peace," in which case I would be wrong, but not necessarily evil,
while Mr. Hunter would be right, but I think this would present a
valid question of fact.
If the Court can accept that war is not peace, and that a
society which believes differently is misdirected, then it should
not be difficult to see that an individual who devotes his life to
hammering out accurate definitions of "war" and "peace" does
society a great service. so I ask the Court to entertain testimony
to determine this fact.
13. I do not think that the matter of the $25.00 special
assessment imposed by J. Gasch should be represented as a "pro-
bation violation" because it is presently before the Circuit Court.
14. The report sys I used Dilaudid for three to four months.
I told Mr. Hunter that I used it for three to four weeks.
15. The report notes two arrests in D.C., but does not
indicate that the charges were dropped. One dropped charge is used
twice (i.e. Bail/Detention, and Prior Record).
16. The report says my signs are 5ft. x 5ft., which would
violate regualtions, actually they are 4ft. x 4 ft.
Says that I receive money for guitar playing and that I accept
the money for "good deeds."
Respectfully submitted,
______________________________
Sunrise (aka Stephen Semple)
Defendant, pro se
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Sunrise, hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing
DEFENDANT'S OBJECTIONS TO THE PRESENTENCE REPORT was served by hand
upon U.S. Probation Officer, Henry Hunter, at the Probation Office,
U.S. District Courthouse, 400 John Marshall Place, Washington,
D.C., 2001 on this 25th day of January, 1988 .
____________________________________
Sunrise (aka Stephen Semple)
Contents
Case Listing --- Proposition One ---- Peace Park