United States v. Zebuel Jackson Hanna
Opinion
Opinion
Boochever, J.
Defendant Zebuel Jackson Hanna appeals his conviction on seven counts of making threats against the President of the United States in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 871 (a). We reverse and remand for a new trial.
BACKGROUND
Hanna prepared, photocopied and distributed a variety of documents that suggested in one way or another that President Bill Clinton should be killed. These leaflets or letters all contain some combination of handwritten words, drawings, photographs, and passages cut out from the Bible. Hanna mailed or hand-delivered the letters to neighbors, businesses and state and local government offices throughout the United States at various times during 1997 and 1998. He did not send any to President Clinton, the President’s aides, or any federal agencies.
Four principal documents underlie the charges on which Hanna was convicted. The first document contains the words “KILL THE BEAST” in handwritten capitals along the top of the page. Underneath this heading are a few handwritten comments as well as two stick figures which apparently represent President Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton. Above the President figure is the number “666” and the name “willie jeffer…