Mason County Man Pleads Guilty to Mailing Threatening Letters to Jurors
| U.S. Attorney’s Office May 20, 2010 |
CHARLESTON, WV—Daniel Lee Hall, 33, of Point Pleasant, West Virginia pleaded guilty yesterday before United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver Jr., admitting he mailed threatening letters to various individuals. In 2009, Hall was facing state criminal charges in the Circuit Court of Mason County. Prior to his trial which was scheduled to begin in March 2009, Hall obtained a list of prospective jurors for his upcoming criminal case. On March 7, 2009, Hall drafted and mailed threatening letters to the prospective jurors. As a result of Hall’s actions, several of the prospective jurors who received the threatening letters refused to appear for jury duty. Hall’s trial was subsequently rescheduled causing substantial disruption of public and governmental functions.
Hall, who is scheduled to be sentenced on August 31, 2010, faces up to five years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Karen B. Schommer is handling the prosecution.