US radio host convicted for threatening judges.

US radio host convicted for threatening judges over gun bans
(AFP) - 1 day ago

WASHINGTON - A US Internet radio host was convicted Friday of threatening to assault and kill three judges who upheld a ban on handguns in Chicago, the US Justice Department said.

Hal Turner, 47, was arrested in June 2009 for an Internet posting that said of the three federal judges who had upheld Chicago's handgun ban, "Let me be the first to say this plainly: These judges deserve to be killed."

His post included photos of the three men, Chief Judge Frank Easterbrook and Judges Richard Posner and William Bauer, as well as their phone numbers and work addresses.

All three judges testified during his trial, which was held in New York after Chicago judges recused themselves.

Turner now faces up to 10 years in prison for threats to assault and murder the men in retaliation for their performance of official duties.

"There is no place in society for threatening federal judges with violence. Period. We are grateful that the jury saw these threats for what they were and rejected any notion that they were acceptable speech," said Patrick Fitzgerald, US Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.

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