Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, holds his weekly press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on July 9. Monday, an Ohio bartender who threatened to poison Boehner's wine because he is "evil" and was "responsible for Ebola" was found not guilty by reason of insanity. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI |
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WASHINGTON, July 14 (UPI) -- An Ohio bartender who threatened to poison House Speaker John Boehner's wine because he is "evil" and is "responsible for Ebola" was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
Michael Hoyt, 44, was ordered Monday to remain in custody and undergo further psychiatric evaluations before returning to federal court on Aug. 21. Federal Judge Timothy Black ruled Hoyt was in the midst of a psychiatric break when the former country club bartender threatened to kill Boehner.
"Mental illness is a prevalent problem in the community that we need to recognize and respond to with treatment," Black said in court. "I hope the victim realizes we're trying to balance the (work) of those (government officials) who are trying to help us and the weakest among us."
Hoyt was arrested Oct. 29 in Deer Park, Ohio, about a week after losing his job at Wetherington Golf and Country Club in West Chester, Ohio, where Boehner is a member. Authorities said Hoyt claimed to be Jesus and told police he wanted to kill Boehner.
Court records show Hoyt heard "the devil's voice" from his car and home radios and sent emails and letters to Boehner's wife. In one of the emails, Hoyt said if he "had any intention of hurting Mr. Boehner, I could have poisoned his wine at Wetherington many, many times."
In January, Boehner made a rare public comment about the threat, saying it was too close to home. In a search of Hoyt's home, police found SKS Assault Rifle magazine, loose rounds, two boxes of ammunition and a speed loader.
"It's one thing when you get some threat a thousand miles away," Boehner said, "it's another when you live three doors from the club."
