Hal Turner, Talk Radio Host, Denies Threatening To Kill Judges

CHICAGO — A New Jersey blogger accused of threatening to kill three federal judges has been an FBI informant and even told authorities about a potential plot to assassinate President Barack Obama, his lawyer said Tuesday.

Blogger Hal Turner pleaded not guilty earlier in the day to charges that he threatened to kill three Chicago-based federal appeals judges.

At his bond hearing, defense attorney Michael Orozco said the 47-year-old Turner of North Bergen, N.J., was not a danger to the community as federal prosecutors claim. Turner deserved to be released on bond, Orozco said, adding that he had served as an FBI confidential informant.

"He provided information about the potential assassination of President Obama," Orozco told U.S. Magistrate Judge Martin C. Ashman.

Orozco acknowledged that he had no independent confirmation concerning a potential assassination and had only the word of his client – a political extremist whose views the lawyer himself repeatedly described as "outlandish."

The attorney also acknowledged that at some time in the past Turner had taken medicine for an emotional condition but said he no longer does because "he doesn't need it."

Assistant U.S. Attorney William Hogan told Ashman he "never heard anything about that" potential assassination. He said Turner's contacts with the FBI ended "quite some time ago."

After court, Hogan and a federal spokesman, Randall Samborn, declined to comment further about Turner's relationship with the FBI or federal marshals.

Ashman gave Turner until an Aug. 10 continuation of the bond hearing to produce concrete evidence of Turner's help to the FBI or federal marshals. He ordered Turner held in the Metropolitan Correctional Center in the meantime.

After court, Orozco said he would try to subpoena Turner's FBI "handler" for the Aug. 10 hearing.

Turner had said in Internet postings in June that the three federal appeals judges "deserve to be killed" because they issued a ruling that upheld ordinances in Chicago and suburban Oak Park banning handguns. He included their photos and the room numbers of their chambers at the courthouse.

Orozco said Turner had never advocated the murder of judges but merely gave his opinion, which was constitutionally protected free speech.

Turner is also facing charges in Connecticut for urging people there to "take up arms" against state legislators. He is scheduled to be in court Aug. 4 for arraignment.

Comments

[filo]

He provided information about the potential assassination of President Obama ?

What? Did he change his mind?

[glesslib]

For all the Hannity supporters on this thread who keep saying there's no connection, from Wikipedia:

Identifying himself as "Hal from North Bergen", Turner became notable in American conservative circles as a frequent caller to WABC radio talk shows hosted by Bob Grant and Sean Hannity.[3­] Turner parlayed this fame into a role as the northern New Jersey coordinator for Patrick J. Buchanan's 1992 presidential campaign. He went on to serve as campaign manager for Libertarian Party candidate Murray Sabrin in New Jersey in the 1990s, including a 1997 gubernatorial campaign.[­4]

Turner reportedly established a friendship with Sean Hannity, on whose program he was a frequent presence.[­3] However, when confronted by the New Black Panther Party's Malik Zulu Shabazz about his association with Turner (in light of Hannity's scrutiny of Barack Obama's association with Jeremiah Wright), Hannity at first denied knowing Turner, then said he had banned Turner from his radio station, and that he never supported Turner's views. Turner subsequently posted this response on his website: "I was quite disappointed when Sean Hannity at first tried to say he didn't know me. In fact, Sean does know me and we were quite friendly a few years ago."[5][6­]

[cltclt]

Since you provided FACTS; "crickets".

[PWM]

Another voice of the GOP.

[JeanPaulSatire]

I must've missed when "blogger" became a synonym for "talk radio host."

[Cinnamonape]

The "Turner Diarrheaeees"?

[Cinnamonape]

Why does the headline claim he's a "talk radio host"? Bloggers don't broadcast their ramblings.

[Cinnamonape]

Ahh-hah...­it's An INTERNET "radio" program.

http://www.towleroad.com/2009/06/internet-radio-host-hal-turner-arrested-for-threats-to-gay-lawmakers.html

[gtalkspolitics]

Where is his buddy Sean Hannity ? He didn't come to Hal's rescue?

[liberalNmoderation]

Deny it all ya want naziboy...
Ya said it on your stupid hate filled radio show.

Hint: That means IT IS ON TAPE, ya jacknut.

[TheSpecter]

Technically it's a digital file.

[time4change2009]

Hannity's friends need to stop.

[Skyhawk]

If he's an informant then he placed a big bulls eye on himself.

[Imzadi]

1. Leavenworth.
2. Throw away key.

[Tyler-Durden]

it's always good to hear when they catch someone like this, before they're able to become another Timothy McVey.

[kareemachan]

He doesn't take his medication any more because he doesn't need it? I think this shows that he needs it more than ever.

[TheSpecter]

Gun fetishists are total cowards.

[Imzadi]

and bu//ies.

[truthartbeauty]

lunatics and gun freaks are a bad combination. nothing has ruined our country more than the 'guns and bibles' crowd. they always go hand in hand. the more of a religious fanatic you are, the more afraid you are of everything not just like you and the more bloodthirsty and murderous you are. It is a fact!