MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Lawyers for the owner of an unpermitted former para-military training camp are asking the Vermont Supreme Court to throw out his arrest warrant.
Daniel Banyai, the owner of Slate Ridge in West Pawlet reportedly left the state last month after a new arrest warrant was issued for his arrest. In oral arguments before the Vermont Supreme Court Tuesday, his lawyers argued that the state Environmental Court shouldn’t have been able to order him arrested.
After failing to bring his property into compliance, the Environmental Court judge ruled Banyai was in contempt of court last November and issued an order that he turn himself in on December 22. Police say they planned to arrest Banyai during a meeting on December 19th but that he contacted them saying he would not be there in person.
Banyai’s lawyer argued that the arrest warrant and more than $100,000 in fines were unfair and punitive measures and that the court’s processes were too confusing for Banyai to comply with.
But Merrill Bent, the attorney for the town of Pawlet, told the court that Banyai has been allowed to evade the law and that they’ve exhausted their efforts trying to bring him into compliance.”We should not lose sight of the fact that while Mr. Banyai is here complaining to the court that the coercive sanctions placed upon him are excessive and unfair, they still haven’t convinced him to comply with the court’s orders. Mr. Banyai has chosen the path of defiance at his own peril, and he has no one to blame for the consequences of his actions but himself,” he said.
Police last year say they had checked his Slate Ridge property over a dozen times but that no arrest had been made.
There is no timeline for when the Vermont Supreme Court will rule on this latest appeal.
Related Stories:
Slate Ridge owner wanted by police has reportedly left the state
Slate Ridge owner faces Friday deadline to turn himself in to police
Judge issues 2nd arrest warrant for Slate Ridge owner following failed inspection
Pawlet officials say Slate Ridge owner failed to comply with court order
Pawlet officials reviewing Slate Ridge site visit
Reported deal will allow town officials to visit Slate Ridge
Vt. Supreme Court rules Slate Ridge owner’s arrest warrant can be reissued
Pawlet asks judge to extend arrest warrant for Slate Ridge owner
Slate Ridge owner thrown out of select board meeting
Rutland sheriff has no plans for ‘show of force’ to arrest Slate Ridge owner
