Colorado's second-highest court has upheld the convictions and sentences of two men who made threats against judges
The Court of Appeals rejected their baseless claims of bias and procedural improprieties, ensuring that these dangerous individuals will face justice for their actions.
One case came out of Denver, where Eric Brandt, a known agitator against law enforcement, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to attempting to retaliate against three judges. Brandt's heinous threats included calling for the murder of Denver County Court Judge Andre L. Rudolph and advocating for the killing of random cops and judges.
But despite facing up to 18 years in prison for these serious crimes, Brandt was given a more lenient sentence by then-District Court Judge Morris B. Hoffman. In a shocking turn, Hoffman even expressed his desire to see Brandt physically fight one of his victims before delivering his monologue about the "social contract" and his own "unreconstructed libertarian" views.
Thankfully, a three-judge panel for the Court of Appeals saw through Brandt's attempt to claim bias and upheld his sentence. In their opinion, Judge David Furman wrote that while some of Hoffman's comments were "concerning," they did not show improper motivation in Brandt's sentencing.
In the second case, Adams County convict, Gregory Carl Wind, was also convicted of threatening and retaliating against a judge and prosecutor.
Wind's disturbing actions included graffitiing his jail cell with messages calling for their deaths and sending a threatening letter to the courthouse.
READ MORE:
SHOULD JUVENILES WHO WERE TRIED AS ADULTS IN COLORADO FOR SEX OFFENSES
COLORADO SUPREME COURT REJECTS DECISION LIMITING LAWYER SPEECH
FEDERAL JUDGE DENIES EFFORT TO BLOCK COLORADO’S NEW GUN CONTROL LAW
Despite receiving a sentence of 12 years in prison, Wind attempted to argue that his trial was delayed due to COVID-19 and that the jurors needed to unanimously agree on which threat merited a conviction. However, a separate three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals rejected his claims, with Judge David H. Yun stating that Colorado law criminalizes "repeated conduct," not just single acts.
In upholding the convictions and sentences of both Brandt and Wind, the Court of Appeals has made it clear that threats against judges will not be tolerated and will be met with severe consequences.