Arrest made in Governor Gregoire death threat; she cites talk radio hate

[Bluebear]

OLYMPIA — A Yakima County man was arrested on suspicion of making a death threat against Gov. Christine Gregoire and her family last month.

Gregoire said she had received threats in the wake of her hotly contested election victory, and that's why her office has declined to release details of her schedule. The State Patrol also has continued around-the-clock protection for Gregoire's opponent, Republican Dino Rossi, because of security concerns.

Jeff Martelli, 47, of Wapato, was arrested Jan. 19 on suspicion threatening Gregoire and her daughters, said Megan Murphy, a Yakima County deputy prosecutor.

Several news organizations have requested copies of Gregoire's daily schedule. Gregoire told reporters yesterday those requests had been denied at the request of State Patrol Chief Lowell Porter. "Give me six months," Gregoire said. "At that point, I'd be happy to open it up."

She hinted some of the threats were being spawned by the controversy surrounding her election, which is still being contested by Rossi.

"The level of discussion on some of this talk-show radio is believed to be a bit concerning," Gregoire said.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002170430_threats04m.html

[kodi]

1. brownshirts are gathering.

an ill wind blows.

[johnfunk]

2. Wonder if Martelli's a FReeper...

He sure fits the profile: stupid, angry, short fuse

[Bluzmann57]

3. These are the same type of people

who bitch about (mostly black) athletes who are showy. They say stuff about sportsmanship and then make death threats against prominent people. Well, if this guy did it, I hope he gets a looooonnnng stretch in the Washington State penal system. And I'd say the same thing about anyone who made threats against a repub. This stuff has to stop.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

4. It would be great to trace his actions to a specific talk show inciting

violence and then SUE them and the station for the increased cost to the taxpayers..and before anyone jumps on me...inciting violence is NOT protected speech

[candle_bright]

7. Exactly.

I'd like to know the names of any hosts who incited violence or encouraged threats.

[sierrajim]

5. Dont worry about the ones that are vocal

its the quite ones that do it.

[CalebHayes]

6. I get death threats from my website and no one ever seems to take

them near a seriously as they do death threats on the governor's life. In fact, the FBI did nothing when I reported my last death threat. They called it "free speech" unless your threating the life of someone holding political office or running for political office. It's such BS.

[dave123williams]

8. Depends on the state...

In NY, if somebody threatens you (not even your life, but just you), it's aggravated harrasment and you can have them arrested.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

9. Google Jeff Martelli and the 2nd item is FR where they are astonished that

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1335638/posts

anyone would accuse talk radio of anything other than spreading peace and love...

Great baby jeebus!

[Cha]

10. And this is what we're up against...

What a brave woman to be out there fighting for her won position as Democratic Governor of Washington with fascist wingers sending her death threats.

What cowards they are..why don't they go to Iraq if they believe so much in the repuklican agenda?

[nascarblue]

11. Anyone know what talk radio station or host it was?

Any Washingtonians up there who might know this? After all, the online freepers and green footballers use mass emailing to go after the silliest of causes and somehow get results. (Think Spongebob, Macy's, Rather,etc)