United States v. James Twine

This is an appeal from the criminal trial of James Twine (Twine) before a federal district court sitting without a jury. Twine was indicted on seven counts of transmitting, via interstate commerce (telephone), threats to kidnap and injure Marilyn Reed (Reed) and others in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 875 (e), and on one count of transmitting the same via the mails in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 876 . The district judge found Twine guilty on all eight counts of the indictment. We affirm.

I

Background

The charges arose out of a bizarre relationship between Twine and Reed that spanned a period of approximately twenty months.

Reed, a preschool teacher, and her sister lived in a group home in Seattle, Washington. In November 1983, they met and formed a friendship with Twine, an unsuccessful business entrepreneur. Twine soon became more partial to Reed, whereas the sister and others at the home began to find Twine odd and bothersome. The relationship nonetheless continued, although apparently on a non-romantic basis.

Twine’s peculiarities grew more acute when Reed’s boyfriend visited her in February 1984. Twine ignored Reed’s request to break contact during the visit and instead escalated…