COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - A Missouri appeals panel has upheld a Columbia man's felony convictions for threatening a judge and her husband.
Frank G. Jindra had argued there was not enough evidence to support his convictions for tampering with a judicial officer because there was no proof that statements he made and was charged for were meant to be threatening.
But a three-judge panel from the Missouri Court of Appeals Western District disagreed and in a unanimous opinion affirmed a jury's guilty verdict from November 2015 on both counts, The Columbia Daily Tribune reported (http://j.mp/2fpq7wa).
The conviction stemmed from Jindra's 2015 failed attempt to seek a restraining order against two people, a request denied by Boone County Associate Circuit Judge Leslie Schneider. Authorities say Jindra then called the clerk's office and threatened the judge before calling her husband's office and threatening him.
Jindra's calls resulted in law enforcement escorting the law firm's employees to their cars and advising the Schneiders to not stay at their home that night.
"When asked if he made any threats that day, Jindra 'denied that they were threats,' instead indicating that 'he had promised to do certain things,' " according to the opinion. "Jindra also indicated that 'he had promised to shoot them in the legs, and not kill them.' "
Jindra was given two suspended sentences of one year in jail and six months in jail, to be served consecutively if he violated probation. Jindra was placed on probation for five years.
The appeals panel affirmed the verdicts.
___
Information from: Columbia Daily Tribune, http://www.columbiatribune.com