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A man charged with carrying a loaded shotgun near the U.S. Capitol and planning to set off a bomb began defending himself Tuesday in D.C. Superior Court.

Michael Gorbey, 38, of Rapidan, Va., was arrested in January for carrying the shotgun and a sword outside the Capitol - an incident that caused hours of gridlock. Weeks later, police found a homemade bomb in his pickup truck.

Gorbey, wearing a pale olive-green shirt and matching tie, said that he believes he is being conspired against. He asked the jury to review both sides and to return a verdict of not guilty.

Prosecutors said in opening statements that the case against Gorbey isn't complicated and comes down to the question of whether Gorbey was in possession of the weapons and homemade bomb.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Cummings said Gorbey came to Washington with a 12-guage shotgun, a nearly three-foot-long sword, 800 rounds of ammunition and a homemade bomb. He said the numbers 13 and 7 were written on the sword, corresponding to the letters of the English alphabet that match Gorbey's initials.

He said Gorbey donned a bulletproof vest, and was walking with a backpack, gun and sword when authorities spotted him. He said a U.S. Capitol police officer repeatedly ordered Gorbey to drop his gun, and was prepared to fire at the man until he finally complied.

Police initially searched Gorbey's truck in January, and used a robotic camera to look inside the vehicle and water to destroy suspicious items inside.

Authorities searched the truck again three weeks later and found a can of black powder taped to a box of shotgun shells and a bottle of pellets.

Gorbey faces charges of planning to set off a bomb. He also is accused of making or transporting an explosive device with the intent of using it against people or property and multiple firearms charges.

Court records show Gorbey is a convicted felon and has been in and out of prison since 1991 for convictions on larceny, domestic violence and illegal gun and drug charges.

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