'Superdell' launches into political tirade after court hearing

OREM — He's heading to trial on what he says are ridiculous traffic charges, but all Dell "Superdell" Schanze wanted to talk about Friday was America's slide toward communism and socialism.

"Why do you live in America if you vote for socialism?" he asked reporters gathered outside Orem's 4th District Court.

He criticized the reporters, as well as anyone who voted for an "Obamination," and questioned their supposed desires to pay greater taxes.

When pressed about the reason he was in court — a hearing on misdemeanor charges stemming from a traffic stop in Saratoga Springs — Schanze called it "the same old, same old, a complete gross violation of the law."

"It's your standard communism and socialism," the former owner of Totally Awesome Computers said, then he again launched into a political tirade.

On Aug. 18, an officer said Schanze's car was abruptly shaking from side to side, and he was forced off Redwood Road to avoid a collision, according to the officer's affidavit. Schanze was pulled over and cited for reckless driving, seat-belt violations — because police said his children weren't buckled up — and carrying a concealed dangerous weapon.

However, both Schanze and his attorney question the validity of those charges, especially the gun charge.

Court-appointed attorney Grant Nagamatsu previously filed a motion arguing that any evidence relating to the gun should be suppressed because he believes the officer asked about it illegally during the course of the traffic stop. Plus, there was no mention in the report of a gun being found.

"I may not agree with everything my client says, but I can see his concerns," Nagamatsu said.

The judge denied the motion — another reason Schanze classified the proceedings as a "mockery of the justice system."

Schanze denied driving recklessly, saying he stayed within his own lane of travel, despite rocking the car back and forth for his kids.

"It's impossible for me to be reckless," he said. "I would rather kill myself than injure someone else."

Nagamatsu previously told the Deseret News he hoped they could reach a resolution Friday, but instead, attorneys set the case for a one-day jury trial on June 19.