• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy Trial underway for Kansas man who threatened congressman, claimed to be ‘Messiah’
Economy

Trial underway for Kansas man who threatened congressman, claimed to be ‘Messiah’

by January 17, 2023
by January 17, 2023 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

A criminal trial was set to start Tuesday for a northeastern Kansas man who federal prosecutors say developed a fixation on U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner and threatened to kill him, at a time when authorities have seen a sharp increase in threats to the nation’s lawmakers and their families.

Prosecutors say Chase Neill, 32, threatened to kill LaTurner in a June 5 voicemail message left at the Republican congressman’s office, then continued to make threatening calls the following day.

His federal trial on one count of threatening a public official was scheduled to begin Tuesday with jury selection, weeks after a judge concluded evidence of mental illness doesn’t mean Neill can’t help his attorney or follow what happens in court.

A pretrial report said Neill believes he is ‘the Messiah.’ Prosecutors have said in court documents that Neill believes he was ‘obligated by God’ to warn ‘certain public figures’ and detail the results of not heeding his warnings.

U.S. District Judge Holly Teeter concluded during a hearing last month that ‘a preponderance of the evidence’ showed Neill was mentally competent to stand trial. The official notes from the hearing showed Teeter relied on a psychological evaluation of Neill, but that document is sealed and closed to the public.

A magistrate who ordered Neill to remain in custody in June 2022 said he also had threatened other members of Congress. The others have not been named and Neill is charged only with threatening LaTurner.

LaTurner was a Kansas state senator and state treasurer before winning his U.S. House seat in 2020. Until the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature redrew political boundaries last year, LaTurner’s eastern Kansas district included Neill’s hometown of Lawrence, which includes the main University of Kansas campus and is among Kansas’ most liberal communities.

Members of Congress have seen a sharp rise in threats in the two years since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. In October, an intruder attacked and severely beat then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer in their San Francisco home.

Local school board members and election workers across the U.S. also have endured harassment, intimidation and threats of violence. Police in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Monday arrested a former Republican candidate for a state House seat in a series of shootings targeting the homes or offices of elected Democratic officials, though none were injured.

In the Kansas case, Neill’s attorney and prosecutors declined to comment ahead of the trial.

LaTurner’s office also did not comment. The congressman and four of his staffers are potential prosecution witnesses.

The pretrial report on Neill, describing his ‘Messiah’ belief, also said police in Lawrence had reports in March 2018 that Neill was delusional and paranoid and had accused one officer of trying to steal his ‘unicorn business idea.’ Neill was sentenced to six months in jail in February 2019 on a domestic battery charge, the report said.

U.S. Magistrate Rachel Schwartz cited the pretrial report in refusing a request from Neill in August to be released from custody. Schwartz said in her order that he had $150,000 in student loan debt but no income.

Schwartz also said in her order that Neill suffered a head injury four or five years ago ‘characterized as a head fracture.’

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • Biden admin shields 330,000 immigrants from deportation; top Dem says it’s not enough
  • Joe Rogan slams China-funded Biden think tank where classified documents were found
  • Trump teases DeSantis over Fox interview about Iowa results: ‘Short circuits’
  • Mike Pence pushes for national 15-week abortion ban one year after fall of Roe v. Wade
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
Obama ethics chief blasts Biden’s ‘inexcusable neglect of the most basic security protocols’
next post
Connecticut to hold special elections to fill 3 vacancies in the state’s House of Representatives

You may also like

Biden tops Trump in new poll, but lead shrinks against...

February 1, 2024

Biden uses minor fire at his house to claim he...

August 22, 2023

Super Micro Stock Soars 65%; TQQQ Fluctuates

October 8, 2024

US-owned ship struck by missile near Yemen, Defense Department says

January 16, 2024

Biden makes major gains with crucial voting group ahead of...

June 18, 2024

Obama offers statement of support after Biden drops out of...

July 21, 2024

SD Gov. Noem’s grocery tax cut hits obstacle in GOP-dominated...

January 19, 2023

House leaders aim for vote on Trump-backed elections bill next...

June 27, 2024

Internal memo shows pro-Ukraine Republicans making case for aid to...

December 6, 2023

Biden finally speaks out on granddaughter he refused to acknowledge...

July 29, 2023

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Week Ahead: NIFTY Stays In A Defined Range; Moving Past This Level Crucial For Resumption Of Upmove

      May 31, 2025
    • Breakouts, Momentum & Moving Averages: 10 Must-See Stock Charts Right Now

      May 31, 2025
    • Leadership Rotation Could Confirm Corrective Phase

      May 30, 2025
    • Run Your Stock Portfolio Like a Pro Sports Team

      May 30, 2025
    • U.S. foreign tax bill sends jitters across Wall Street

      May 30, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,765 views
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,472 views
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 2,451 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,432 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,308 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,106)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,582)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • Week Ahead: NIFTY Stays In A Defined Range; Moving Past...

      May 31, 2025
    • Breakouts, Momentum & Moving Averages: 10 Must-See Stock Charts Right...

      May 31, 2025
    • Leadership Rotation Could Confirm Corrective Phase

      May 30, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,106)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,582)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    Dems save Johnson’s $95B foreign aid...

    April 20, 2024

    Connecticut Gov. Lamont calls for more...

    January 27, 2023

    Senate Democrats demand Chief Justice Roberts...

    April 11, 2023
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here