Posted on 10/03/2004 1:45:22 PM PDT by AMTRepub
Threat was not serious, Union man says 9/29/2004 3:09 PM By: Jason Bronis, News 14 Carolina
WATCH THE VIDEO
Threat Against Governor
A former head of the Union County Republican Party was arrested Tuesday and accused of threatening to harm Gov. Mike Easley.
MONROE, N.C. -- John Barker admits he shouldn't have said it.
"What does it take to get any attention? Do I have to shoot the governor?"
Apparently not. All he had to do was say what police interpreted as a threat, and he got plenty of attention.
Unfortunately, Barker did not get the response he'd hoped for.
The former head of the Union County Republican Party said he lashed out at Gov. Mike Easley after the state allegedly took his retirement money to pay for insurance he did not want.
Prosecutors say John Barker, 60, of Monroe threatened to harm Gov. Mike Easley after a run-in with a state agency. For his angry comment, he was charged with a felony and scheduled to appear in court Friday morning in Raleigh.
Barker said he was frustrated but not serious.
"OK, I don't know how much threat a 60-year-old disabled school teacher -- who can't drive and walks with a walker -- is to the governor who is 200 miles away," he said.
But someone in Raleigh took the threat against the Democrat seriously enough that the Monroe police showed up at his doorstep with an arrest warrant.
Reached by phone Wednesday, a spokesperson for Gov. Easley refused to comment on the case. Wake County District Attorney Colon Willoughby, who is in charge of prosecuting Barker, also had no comment.
Willoughby did discuss the charges with a local newspaper, though.
John Barker is charged with communicating a threat to an executive officer, a felony that usually brings probation or community service. "This wasn't two guys sitting on the porch at the 'Y'all Come Back Saloon' talking about that son-of-a-such-and-such governor, saying 'I ought to kill that guy,'" Willoughby said. "It appears to be on a much different plane than a casual comment or barroom chat."
Barker begs to differ.
"You get a little hot under the collar and you say something you regret, and all of a sudden it's national news," he said. "If Easley wants to go that way, he's the governor. I'm just a retired school teacher."
Although Barker is charged with a felony, it is unclear what sentence he could face if convicted. He was released from the Union County jail on $10,000 bond.
Web Journalist: Megan Butler
Isn't the title a bit backwards?
Not when you really think about it. This was an offhanded comment made by Mr. Barker. Now the Governor is using this as political revenge... Some of the true story hasn't been posted yet.
He is also charged with a class E Felony, punishable by up to 15 months in prison according to NC General Statutes..
What also wasn't said is:
The statement was made AUGUST 6th! They didn't issue a warrent until August 30th! They didn't arrest him until September 28th..
Anyone else see a problem?
Oh Great! NC Pingworthy?
Lemme guess, he gets a court date in about 30 days from the arrest.
Psst. Hey, stupid Union dude. Don't let your mouth write a check that your butt can't cash, moron.
I'm sick and tired of watching Leftists get off the hook every time they threaten Americans. It's about time we made an example of one of them.
We actually pinged this when it happened, I believe.
It looks like the arrest is new though right? Unless I missed a ping in the last 4 days.
This is about a Republican threatening our RAT governor. (with a small g) We affectionately refer to him as:
Tax Hike Mike
Mike Sleazley
Mike Weasley
As well as many other things that would get me kicked off FR if I listed them : )
Calm down. Read the article and not the headline.
I did read the article. And if it'd been me instead of the Union chump, I'd have been cooling my heels some time ago. Go ahead, just say it ain't so.
What exactly is a ping?
Sorry - haven't posted in a long time.
This was double plus ungood. Big Brother is very disappointed.
Court date is October 21st.
Why do you believe that?
Sometimes our Republican brethren are just batty. Some of my very own relatives ...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.