Constitutional Law

N.J. blogger convicted of threatening judges

By By The Associated Press

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.

Full post as published by First Amendment Center on August 12, 2010 (boomark / email).