He was tried Wednesday in Frederick County District Court.
Frederick, Md (KM) A conviction was handed down to a Frederick man who threatened other residents due to the political signs on their property. In Frederick County District Court, James Dale Reed, 42, was found guilty Wednesday in a bench trial of one count of voter intimidation. But the judge found him not-guilty of one count of threat of mass violence.
Reed was sentenced to two years with all but time served (132 days) suspended. He was also put on three years of supervised probation.
Reed was arrested last year for leaving a threatening letter in the mailbox of some residents on Kline Boulevard in Frederick who had Biden and Harris signs on their property. The missive also threatened violence against then-candidates Joe Biden and Kamela Harris. “This is a warning to anyone reading this letter that if you are a Biden/Harris supporter, you will be targeted; have a list of homes and addresses by your election signs.”
“In the rendering of his verdict, Judge {Eric} Schaffer stated that the Maryland law requires a minimum of 5 people be threatened to constitute a threat of mass violence. We respect his interpretation of the law, but believe the letter clearly represented a serious threat of political violence against a large group of people,” said State’s Attorney Charlie Smith, in a statement.
Reed still faces federal charges.
By Kevin McManus