Daniel Miller, 41, plasterer, was arrested by police last month on five charges of intentionally damaging a cellphone tower or telecommunications infrastructure by fire.
The charges relate to incidents in the Wānaka area and Lindis Pass between July 6 and October 7.
Miller, who is also facing charges of unlawfully possessing a rifle bolt, unlawfully possessing ammunition and possessing cannabis, was described by police prosecutor Dan Andrew as a ‘‘sovereign citizen’’ in the Queenstown District Court yesterday.
Appearing by audiovisual link from prison, Miller continually spoke over Judge Catriona Doyle and ignored her questions, prompting her to have his audio connection muted.
When she gave him a second opportunity to respond to her questions, he said he was ‘‘not Mr Miller’’.
‘‘I’m a living man standing in my natural state.’’
His unwillingness to engage with court process during his two appearances to date means he has been deemed to plead not guilty of all the charges.
Judge Doyle scheduled a two-day judge-alone trial to start on April 21 and further remanded him in custody for a case review hearing on January 26.
