Colorado Fugitive Lectures Judge On The Constitution

Wednesday night, Colorado fugitive Marquis Harris was running from the law at more than 100 mph.

Thursday afternoon, Harris was running off his mouth about the Constitution in Natrona County Circuit Court.

Harris lead the Wyoming Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies on a high-speed chase beginning at 10:25 p.m. on Interstate 25 from north of Casper, according to a press release from WHP Sgt. David Wagener.

Even with three of his wheels running on their rims, Harris kept driving. He finally called 911 to negotiate his surrender near the Sheridan County line at 11:04 p.m. The entire chase covered 92 miles in 71 minutes.

After Harris was taken into custody, law enforcement officers learned he had multiple felony warrants out of Colorado.

The 40-year-old Harris of Thornton, Colo., was taken to the Natrona County Detention Center in Casper where he was booked in on the warrants. He also was charged with speeding 102 mph in an 80 mph zone, driving under suspension, eluding law enforcement, misdemeanor possession of marijuana, and felony possession of oxycodone pills.

During initial appearances on Thursday, Natrona County Circuit Court Judge Michael Patchen read the charges against him and told him about the extradition warrant from Colorado.

Assistant District Attorney Randall Carnahan recommended a $15,000 bond, adding that Colorado asked for a $45,000 bond because of the warrants.

Harris waived the extradition hearing.

He then gave Patchen a legal earful.

The Fourth Amendment prohibits law enforcement officers from shifting the focus of their search of the passenger area of his car to the trunk, Harris said.

The judge was not impressed.

"You can make all the constitutional arguments you want, but I can't hear this because this case is going to district court," Patchen said. A circuit court judge simply doesn't have the authority to have that discussion, he said.

That didn't dissuade Harris.

"There been a lot going on in this country," Harris said, referring to the racial tensions in Ferguson, Mo., and elsewhere. "I was pulled over by all-white police officers."

Harris invoked higher authorities as well. "The law is the law and the truth is the truth," he said. "This court is under the Constitution or it's not."

He told Patchen he could listen to the 911 he placed to the Buffalo Dispatch Center, which was after Stop Sticks had shredded three of his four tires.

"I didn't want to pull over in a dark spot (on the road) with all-white officers pulling me over," Harris said.

He further told Patchen he has no criminal record in Wyoming.

Harris wanted Patchen to drop the bond, because has a girlfriend in Riverton and six children, he said. "My finances are mostly tied up with them."

Patchen set his bond at $10,000 because Colorado already wanted a $45,000 bond on the fugitive warrant.

Harris got the last word as he signed papers before sheriff's deputies escorted him from the courtroom.

"I'll be looking forward to taking this to trial," he said.