October 10, 2013 - As Daniel Defoe wrote in The Political History of the Devil in 1726: "Things as certain as death and taxes, can be more firmly believed."

Well, it seems that in 2013 you cannot be certain about the meaning of death anymore:

An Ohio man who appeared in court is legally dead, a judge has ruled.

Donald Eugene Miller Jr. was declared dead in 1994, eight years after he disappeared from his home in Arcadia, Ohio. Judge Allan Davis of Hancock County said Miller is still legally dead because a death ruling cannot be changed after three years have passed.

Miller, 61, told the court he was an alcoholic and he left town because he lost his job and he was unsure what to do. He wants to reverse the death ruling so he can get a driver’s license and reinstate his Social Security number.

Miller's former wife, Robin Miller, opposed Miller’s attempt to reverse the ruling. She has been receiving Social Security death benefits for her children and she says she can’t afford to repay the money.

Donald Miller’s lawyer, Francis Marley, said his client may be able to challenge the Social Security Administration in federal court, but he can’t afford to do it. "My client's here on a wing and a prayer today," Marley said.