The mother of a 5-year-old boy found in a suitcase almost two years ago had her initial hearing at 1:30p in Washington Circuit Court in front of Judge Larry Medlock.
Her erratic responses to Medlock about defending herself in her upcoming murder trial eventually led him to request a court-appointed public defender until she could prove she had the capability to do so on her own.
Dejaune Anderson was arrested in California on March 14 and was transported back to Indiana early Sunday, March 31.
She is charged with murder, neglect of a dependent resulting in death and obstruction of justice in conjuction with the death of her 5-year-old son, Cairo Jordan, who was found in a suitcase near Pekin on April 16, 2022.
Her friend, Dawn Elaine Coleman, 41, Shreveport, La., was sentenced last November by Medlock for her involvement in Jordan’s death, to 30 years with five years suspended to probation.
Coleman entered a plea agreement to a Level 1 felony charge of conspiracy to commit murder.
Washington County Prosecutor Tara Coats Hunt would not comment if Coleman would appear as a witness during the trial.
Tuesday, Anderson advised the Court she will file an appearance for self representation and requested five days to prepare her argument to represent herself.
After making some odd statements during the hearing, Medlock advised that he was appointing a temporary public defender until she could provide evidence to the Court that she was cable of property representing herself.
She also said she had been under surveillance by the NSA and followed by the Space Force.
A pre-trial conference is scheduled for April 25 at 9:30a and a trial is tentatively set for August 6 at 8:30a.
ANDERSON”S STATEMENTS DURING THE HEARING
Anderson was led into court at 1:30p Tuesday and initially responded to Judge Medlock’s request for her name and told the Court she was “Princess Califula Hohanatu Pahpay, the Second” and was “representing the entity of Dejaune Anderson.”
Medlock asked if she was Dejuane Anderson and she answered, “I’m representing the entity of Dejaune Anderson.”
Medlock asked her birthday and she said that she was born February 2, 1961, which would make her 63.
Police records indicate Anderson is 38.
She said she did not have a social security number and said she had a Declaration of Nationality under the Indigenous People of the United Nations, Chapter 221593.
She listed her address as an apartment in North Hollywood, California.
She was asked about her phone number and she said she wasn’t sure, but thought it was 747-724-2323 and said she was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Medlock read her three charges of Murder, Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death and Obstruction of Justice.
Medlock said the murder charge carried a range of imprisonment of between 45-65 years, with an advisory sentence being 55 years and up to a $10,000 fine.
He said Count 2 carried a range of between 20-40 years with an advisory sentence being 40 years with up to $10,000.
Count 3 could result in no time in jail if it’s treated as a misdemeanor, according to Medlock.
Medlock asked Anderson if she understood the charges and potential penalties and she said yes.
It was during this time, Anderson said she wanted to represent herself.
“You understand if you do that, you are required to conduct yourself as a lawyer, Voir dire potential jurors, abide by the rules of evidence and the rules of procedure,” Medlock commented.
Anderson responded that she had a master’s degree in history.
“That’ doesn’t give you a law degree,” Medlock replied.
Anders said she understand how to read procedures.
“Just because you represent yourself, that doesn’t ensure yourself a good lawyer, you know?” Medlock said to Anderson.
Anderson said, “That’s a personal opinion, but I understand.”
Medlock asked if she could afford an attorney.
“It’s not that I can’t afford a lawyer, it’s that I want to do self representation because I understand the nature of the case and it’s my life on the line,” said Anderson.”I do understand that there are things involved in my case – the evidence that i hold as Q Classified evidence, which should be turned over to the Judge Advocate General courts immediately if possible. My case involves other cases that are open currently with JAG courts as well as other federal investigations which are open.”
Medlock told her, “If a Judge Advocate General approaches us, we will address it at that time.”
Medlock asked Hunt to address the issue of bond.
“Given the gravity of this case, first of all, I would like you to take additional notice of the probably cause affidavit that the state filed in support of these three charges that resulted in the arrest warrant,” said Hunt. “It’s also almost the 2-year mark of the little boy being found in the woods. The defendant has been a fugitive since that time, since her identification has been made. I think that raises any bond in a murder case to be something of utmost importance and should be of an amount that should be difficult if not impractical for her to be able to afford.”
Anderson objected during Hunt’s response.
Medlock allowed Hunt to finish this address the defendant, “Ms. Anderson. You just made an objection. State the basis of your objection.”
“I am not a fugitive,” said Anderson. “I have been under NSA surveillance for 8 months. And how can that qualify me as a fugitive on the run when I’ve also had a detail from Space Force that has been following my every move.”
“That is not a valid legal objection,” Medlock responded. “If you want to represent yourself you’re going to have to learn the rules of evidence and the rules of procedure. Because if you conduct yourself like this and make these type of objections, you have no chance in the world, lady. Objection overruled.”
Medlock, however, allowed her to argue against the bond request.
“My argument is that I’ve been under surveillance by NSA for over 8 months,” Anderson reiterated. “I have a detail that follows me wherever I go from Space Force Military. I also contacted Indiana State…I think, it was a federal marshal…to have my location tracked to pick me up. There’s no type of extent of me running where I need this astronomical bond on my charges.”
Medlock repled, “Well, That’s sort of interesting, because it’s my understanding that Officer Busick has been in touch with almost everyone of those agencies and he hasn’t been able to identify your location until recently.”
Medlock made the decision not to issue a bond at this time and replied, “If Space Force comes forward and says they are able to monitor you, I’ll take that into consideration.”
Medlock ended the hearing and then re-opened it, after thinking about Anderson’s statements.
“Based on what I just heard, i’m going to ask one of the members of the public defenders be assigned to represent Ms. Anderson. If she files a written request and demonstrates she has the ability to comprehend and understand to represent herself, I may ask him to withdraw and no longer require their services. I think it appropriate someone to be assigned at this particular time.”
The hearing was re-adjourned.
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