Speech

N.J. blogger convicted of threatening judges

Associated Press

Wire Report
Friday, August 13, 2010

Editor’s note: The Associated Press reported that Hal Turner was sentenced in federal court in New York on Dec. 21 to 33 months in prison.

NEW YORK — A New Jersey blogger has been convicted of making threats against federal appeals court judges in Illinois.


A Brooklyn jury deliberated less than two hours today before finding Hal Turner guilty of making death threats.


The three judges from the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals testified during the trial that they were alerted by their staffs in 2009 to postings by Turner protesting their ruling supporting gun control.


Turner wrote, “These judges must die.” He also posted their photos and work addresses.


The defense had argued that Turner's rants were “political trash talk” protected by the First Amendment.


It was the third trial for Turner. Two previous trials ended in hung juries.

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