Gun trial begins in D.C. court

WASHINGTON, April 30 (UPI) -- A man arrested in January as he allegedly walked toward the U.S. Supreme Court with a sword and a gun represented himself at a Washington trial.

Defendant Michael Gorbey faced a number of prosecutorial objections and a warning from the judge as he represented himself on federal gun and explosives charges.

Most of the 25 objections came as Gorbey cross-examined five U.S. Capitol Police officers about his arrest in the D.C. Superior Court, The Hill reported. Judge Gregory Jackson said the series of questions was "inappropriate."

Gorbey was arrested Jan. 18 as he walked toward the U.S. Supreme Court building allegedly with a loaded shotgun, a sword and more than two dozen rounds of ammunition. Government prosecutors said Gorbey told them he was on his way to a meeting with Chief Justice John Roberts.

During the first day of Gorbey's trial, prosecutors asked for Jackson's intervention, saying Gorbey's statement and questions should stay on topic rather than cite a conspiracy they he has espoused, and the number of objections could generate sympathy for Gorbey.

"It could leave (the jury) with the notion that the government's trying to hide something with all these objections," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Kerkhoff told the court.

Police charged Gorbey with 14 counts, including manufacturing explosives and possessing a weapon of mass destruction.