COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — In a South Carolina court, deliberations are underway regarding whether beliefs that are perceived as delusional about the legal system can prevent a prisoner from facing execution. Meanwhile, the prisoner, Steven Bixby, has filed his own handwritten arguments.

The execution of Bixby was suspended earlier this year by the state Supreme Court, which instructed a lower court to assess whether Bixby’s lawyers are hamstrung in their defense efforts due to Bixby’s beliefs. These beliefs include notions such as most laws being unconstitutional, an absolute right to lethal defense of property, and that unfavorable judges are influenced by Satan.

Now 58, Bixby was found guilty of murdering two police officers in 2003 when they approached his Abbeville home amid a road widening dispute involving Bixby’s family. His parents, also accused, have since passed, but Bixby remains on death row.

In a hearing last month, Bixby’s legal team contended that his unwavering belief in the unconstitutionality of the U.S. legal system hinders their ability to gather necessary information for his defense. Prosecutors argued that Bixby’s beliefs are not isolated and that he comprehends the state’s rationale for his execution.

Bixby spoke at his hearing but had more to say later

After the hearing, Judge R. Scott Sprouse granted Bixby a ten-minute opportunity to address the court and assured a decision within 30 days. However, Bixby took further action.

Subsequently, Bixby submitted a handwritten motion packed with underlined terms like “miscarriage of justice,” “law demands,” and “reversal of conviction.”

“Judge Sprouse gave me 10 minutes to address the court. Thanks!” Bixby wrote sarcastically, asserting that the state constitution allows someone accused of a crime to be fully heard either on their own or through their lawyer.

“The unconstitutional shrinks were given unlimited psychobabble time to their subjective, unsubstantiated conjecture of theories not based on facts!” Bixby wrote.

The court called a halt as his execution neared

Bixby was out of regular appeals and weeks away from an execution date when the Supreme Court stepped in with a 3-2 ruling in March.

The justices said that while Bixby would be considered competent to be executed under federal law because he can link his crime and punishment and knows why he faces the death penalty, state law requires an additional finding that condemned inmates be able to rationally communicate with their attorneys.

Both sides presented experts at last month’s hearing. One called by Bixby’s lawyers said the isolation of prison has only made his beliefs worse and that Bixby is stuck in a mindset that never grew.

An expert for the state said that while his might make him a difficult client, it doesn’t make Bixby impossible to defend, and he views himself in some ways as a martyr ready to die for what he believes.

Bixby’s motion uses legal phrases but provide no reasoning accepted by judges before.

“I’ve proven & the prosecution has admitted through the omission & admission under rule 24a & 55.2 of the charges against them since 12/05/03 (to whom it may concern letter) the Bixbys ‘total innocence.’ Set me free!” he writes.

Bixby convicted of killing two officers before huge gunfight

Bixby shot Abbeville County deputy Danny Wilson as the officer knocked on the front door of his parents’ home in December 2003, a day after they threatened the road crew, authorities said.

They dragged Wilson’s dying body inside and restrained him with his own handcuffs. Then they killed state Constable Donnie Ouzts as he as other officers rushed to the home after realizing Wilson had been missing for an hour. That led to a 12-hour standoff as officers and the Bixbys fired hundreds of bullets at each other, investigators said.

Bixby blames officer for creating his legal mess

At the August hearing, Bixby spent part of his speaking time saying Wilson was killed because he was trying to take the family’s land.

“I’m just tired of this tragedy. This is all over them wanting to steal my parents’ property,” Bixby said.

In his motion to the court, Bixby suggested the judge would commit treason if he doesn’t stop his execution and set him free.

“I am an innocent man!! Let freedom ring & let those committing treason swing!!!” Bixby wrote. “Like Thomas Jefferson: I am standing on principle even if I stand alone.”