Saturday, August 09, 2008

N.C. man accused of threatening Barack Obama

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Authorities say a North Carolina man will undergo a psychiatric evaluation after being jailed on a charge of threatening to kill Barack Obama.

Federal documents identified the man held Friday as 48-year-old Jerry M. Blanchard. A criminal complaint says witnesses overheard Blanchard twice last month threatening to kill the presumptive Democratic nominee.

A Secret Service agent wrote in court documents that Blanchard may have mental health issues related to recent head injuries. Blanchard denied making the threat, according to the documents.

Separately Thursday, a 22-year-old man in Florida made a court appearance in Miami on charges he threatened to assassinate Obama. That man also has denied making threats against Obama.

No comments: