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| Harold "Hal" Turner (photo provided by State Capitol Police) |
Posted: Wednesday, 03 June 2009 7:58PM
State Capitol Police Arrest New Jersey Blogger
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Connecticut State Capitol Police say they have obtained an arrest warrant for a New Jersey man in connection with an incident at the State Capitol on Tuesday. The warrant charges Harold "Hal" Turner, 47, of North Bergen, New Jersey with inciting injury to persons or property.
Capitol Police, with the help of the North Bergen, N.J. Police Department arrested Turner late Wednesday afternoon without incident. Turner is due to be presented in court in New Jersey on Thursday for extradition to face charges in Connecticut.
Police say they began investigating after becoming aware of an internet blog authored and controlled by Turner that contained language that incited its readers to take up arms to deal with the co-chairs of the legislature's Judiciary Committee, Rep. Michael Lawlor and Sen. Andrew McDonald, and an employee of the State Ethics Commission. Turner also made a threatening comment in regards to any state's attorney, police department, or court that attempts to deal with this matter, police said.
Turner's comments on his blog followed an overview of the events surrounding Senate Bill 1098, which would have changed the way the Roman Catholic Church governs itself.
“Mr. Turner’s comments are above and beyond the threshold of free speech," said State Capitol Police Chief Michael Fallon. "He is inciting others through his web site to commit acts of violence and has created fear and alarm. He should be held accountable for his conduct,” said Fallon.
It is not clear when Turner will be extradited to Connecticut to be officially charged, police said.
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WTIC, Hartford CT
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