Jury deliberates; man says threat to lawmaker was from God

By JOHN HANNA
Associated Press

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Jurors have started deliberating in the federal criminal case of a man who told them that a death threat he made against U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner came from God. Chase Neill said Thursday that the threat was prompted by the Kansas Republican ignoring concerns about sorcery, wizards, extraterrestrials and a war for people’s souls. Prosecutors say the 32-year-old from Lawrence fixated on LaTurner before leaving a voicemail at the congressman’s Topeka office saying “I will kill you.” Neill’s trial comes amid a sharp rise in reported threats against the nation’s lawmakers and their families. Testimony ended Thursday. If convicted, Neill could face 10 years in prison.