HARTFORD, Conn. — A New Jersey blogger accused of encouraging violence against two Connecticut legislators told police that he hoped nobody would harm the lawmakers but added, “you never can tell.”
A judge arraigned Harold “Hal” Turner, of North Bergen, N.J., in Hartford Superior Court on Monday. A Connecticut capitol police report detailing the allegations was released after the brief hearing.
The 47-year-old former radio talk show host urged his blog readers earlier this month to “take up arms” against the two lawmakers and suggested government officials should “obey the Constitution or die.”
Turner was angry over legislation that would have given lay members of Roman Catholic churches more control over their parishes’ finances. His lawyer says Turner was exercising his right to free speech.
