Man who threatened Daschle found guilty

Rapid City (SD) Journal ^ | Saturday October 18, 2003 | Tim Velder

[jwalburg]

DEADWOOD -- A Lawrence County jury on Friday pronounced a Sundance, Wyo., man guilty of threatening to kill Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., in Spearfish.

Raymond Howard, 59, faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine for the felony conviction of threatening a constitutional officer. Fourth Circuit Judge Warren Johnson, who presided over the two-day trial, ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set sentencing for Nov. 18.

The seven-man, five-woman jury deliberated for less than an hour before rendering its verdict Friday morning in Deadwood.

The Spearfish Police Department arrested Howard the morning of March 8 when a man telephoned the emergency 911 dispatch in Spearfish and stated, "We're going to kill Senator Daschle today." Police traced the call to an outdoor pay phone at Cedar House Restaurant, northwest of the Safeway store in Spearfish.

"Police officers (were) immediately sent to the location, and because of recent snow, were able to track the footprints back to Howard's vehicle and eventually to Howard," Lawrence County State's Attorney John Fitzgerald said.

Howard worked as a morning shelf stocker at Safeway.

Daschle visited Spearfish and Belle Fourche later on March 8.

Howard initially told investigators that he didn't go to the pay phone. However, he later admitted he went to the phone but only to check for money in the coin return.

On Thursday, Fitzgerald discredited testimony by Howard's wife Peggy, who indicated she and her husband harbored no animosity toward the senator. Fitzgerald produced copies of letters to the editor written by the Howards that were published in the Rapid City Journal in 2000 and 2002. The letters were critical of Daschle and the Democratic Party.

"You step over the line when you call the Spearfish Police Department emergency dispatch and threaten to kill a constitutional officer," Fitzgerald said Friday.

Daschle's office declined to comment on the matter Friday.

Contact Tim Velder at 642-8822, ext. 17, or tim.velder@rapidcityjournal.com.

[Burkeman1]

Has Rush Limbaugh been blamed for this idiot yet since we are piling on him this week?

[nothingnew]

If this is from Deadwood, I would think the threat was to Algore.

FMCDH

[freeangel]

Shades of Beavis and Butthead "Are you threatening me?"

[jwalburg]

Groan!

[Catspaw]

"Police officers (were) immediately sent to the location, and because of recent snow, were able to track the footprints back to Howard's vehicle and eventually to Howard," Lawrence County State's Attorney John Fitzgerald said.

What an idiot.

More than one burglar has been caught in Wisconsin by tracking his footprints in the snow. It's a weather hazard they don't consider in their life of crime.

[NewRomeTacitus]

How can Daschle be a "constitutional officer" when he dedicates his existance to tearing it down?

[Paladin2]

Daschle would obviously be a COINO, but should still be beyond being the target of physical threats.

[Humidston]

"You step over the line when you call the Spearfish Police Department emergency dispatch and threaten to kill a constitutional officer," Fitzgerald said Friday.

How about just bending over and causing a phart to be released in his general direction?

Sorrrrry. Couldn't resist.

[StriperSniper]

should still be beyond being the target of physical threats.

But verbal mocking is encouraged. ;-)

[John H K]

Check this guy's basement for an anthrax lab? :-)

[Centurion2000]

"You step over the line when you call the Spearfish Police Department emergency dispatch and threaten to kill a constitutional officer," Fitzgerald said Friday.

This is the guy to send after NBC, Alec Baldwin and a few other scumbags' names that escape me.

[2timothy3.16]

A Lawrence County jury on Friday pronounced a Sundance, Wyo., man guilty of threatening to kill Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., in Spearfish. Raymond Howard, 59, faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine

$5,000. fine seems a bit steep for daschle.

[Burkeman1]

LOL!

[Cobra64]

If this is from Deadwood, I would think the threat was to Algore.

Betcha there are a lot of totem-poles with an Al Gore likeness in Deadwood.

[lowbridge]

"You step over the line when you call the Spearfish Police Department emergency dispatch and threaten to kill a constitutional officer,"

Constitutional? Daschle?

[tet68]

On Thursday, Fitzgerald discredited testimony by Howard's wife Peggy, who indicated she and her husband harbored no animosity toward the senator. Fitzgerald produced copies of letters to the editor written by the Howards that were published in the Rapid City Journal in 2000 and 2002. The letters were critical of Daschle and the Democratic Party.

It's hell when you have a history, and now a days, EVERYONE
has a history.

[quietolong]

Crosshairs get put on Bush -Nothing happens
Threats to Republicans -Nothing happens
A phone call about a Rat -Jail

Kill President Bush Dot Com: Taking Free Speech WAY Too Far!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1003773/posts