Man Accused Of Threatening Lawmakers To Face Trial
FLINT (WWJ/AP) - A federal magistrate says a 53-year-old ex-convict from Flint accused of threatening to kill three Michigan members of Congress is competent to stand trial.
Randall Dellinger was released on a $25,000 bond following Wednesday's ruling. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted as charged.
The FBI says threatening calls were made to the offices of U.S. Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow and Dellinger's congressman, U.S. Rep. Dale Kildee.
Authorities say Dellinger called and threatened the lawmakers because he believes he is "dying of leukemia caused by the RF transmitters."
Dellinger told agents radio frequency transmitters were planted in him while serving a state prison term for detonating grenades. He said the transmitters were "used to control his actions by causing pain."
Federal records show Dellinger, who was arrested in June, threatened to kill the lawmakers if they didn't "do something" about the Michigan Corrections Department, which he blames for health problems.
"You start doing something (expletive) before you leave office or I will put you down the day you (expletive) leave," Dellinger is accused of saying in a voice message left at Kildee's Flint office, according to the federal complaint.
Similar messages were left at Stabenow's Flint office and Levin's Washington D.C. office.
TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
