A Cape Cod state consultant says “justice has been served” after a jury convicted a neighborhood man of creating threats in opposition to the elected Republican lawmaker, which included the assertion, “I will not support you or your Trumpism.”
Rep. Steven Xiarhos, a Barnstable Republican, is thanking Cape & Islands District Lawyer Robert J. Galibois and his workplace for prosecuting James Spence, a 63-year-old Dennis resident set to serve six months in jail.
Xiarhos advised the Herald that he’s “not afraid to do the job I was elected to do. I chose a life of service. But that service should not come with death threats.”
“The rise in threats, attempted assassinations, and violence against public officials has become a crisis in this country,” the consultant mentioned by way of textual content message Thursday night. “We’ve seen leaders attacked of their houses, on their lawns, and at group occasions. It usually begins with harmful rhetoric, similar to the threats made by Mr. Spence, and if we ignore it, it may result in actual tragedy.
Xiarhos, a former 40-year veteran of the Yarmouth Police Division, acquired threats earlier this yr, on Feb. 25, in response to a social media submit the state consultant made that day.
“Tell your tyrant to reel it in or the people will burn your house, office and tar and feather you in the streets of Hyannis,” Spence advised Xiarhos. “I will not support you or your Trumpism. This is a warning of what the people are saying.”
The Barnstable Police Division investigated the menace and decided that Spence was the person behind the username and related picture of the account that despatched the message.
Spence reportedly admitted to creating the menace when Barnstable PD spoke with him in regards to the threatening message, Galibois’ workplace acknowledged.
The Cape & Islands District Lawyer’s Workplace really helpful that Spence serve six months in native jail, the the utmost sentence allowable below the statute.
The courtroom sentenced Spence to 6 months on the Barnstable County Home of Correction after an 18-month suspension. Spence has been ordered to keep away from and don’t have any contact with Xiarhos. He additionally should attend psychological well being counseling.
“Public officials, regardless of their political affiliation, should be able to carry out their duties without fear for their safety or that of their families,” Galibois mentioned in an announcement. “Our office remains committed to protecting every member of this community including those elected to represent our residents from acts of violence, threats and intimidation.”
Xiarhos mentioned he’s “pleased that justice has been served in the form of a conviction, and I am looking forward to moving on from this very disturbing incident.”
