Finally! The cops have arrested a man, James Troutman, who made threatening remarks on a Facebook page against Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. Seems Troutman is one of those who is protesting Governor Beshear’s shelter in place order over the coronavirus pandemic.
Kentucky State Police officials were contacted last week, court documents show, after a Facebook account linked to Troutman had posted a comment saying Beshear should be asked in a press conference about William Goebel, a former Kentucky governor who was shot and killed while in office in 1900.
"For those of you who don't know the history," the statement said, according to police, "... it's a good read."…
A rally was scheduled in Frankfort, and when the other account asked if the governor would be there "shooting plates," (a reference to target practice), Troutman, police say, replied "with any luck the gov will be the one at whom the shooting will be directed."
Here’s the kicker. Troutman is a lawyer. And he has a lovely past.
This is not Troutman's first run in with the law.
In 2013, he was arrested after Louisville Metro Police say he was driving erratically, nearly hitting other vehicles and that he refused to pull over until being blocked in by a cruiser.
He was charged with fleeing and evading police, wanton endangerment and reckless driving.
He eventually pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and was sentenced to 30 days in jail, which was conditionally discharged as long as he stayed out of trouble.
In 2007, the Kentucky Supreme Court suspended his license to practice law for two years after he shot an arrow into a neighbor's home. The arrow pierced the neighbor's garage door and lodged in a refrigerator.
Troutman admitted firing the arrow but said his conduct was the result of taking a large amount of over-the-counter medication to control his severe allergies, according to Supreme Court records.
He pleaded guilty to wanton endangerment, criminal mischief and criminal littering.
He was punished again in 2009 by the high court for practicing law while his licence was suspended.
Now, Troutman’s lawyer is saying that this is all First Amendment, blah, blah, blah. I’m tired of assholes like Troutman who make threats like this and then act all innocent, “I didn’t mean to threaten to kill him!” People like Troutman know better, and he is trying to incite others to do his dirty work.