HARTFORD, Conn. -- A New Jersey blogger has made a brief appearance in a Connecticut courtroom to face a charge of inciting violence against state lawmakers.
A judge arraigned Harold "Hal" Turner, of North Bergen, N.J., in Hartford Superior Court on Monday. Turner did not speak and is next due back in court July 14.
The 47-year-old former radio talk show host urged his blog readers earlier this month to "take up arms" against Connecticut lawmakers and suggested government officials should "obey the Constitution or die."
Turner was angry over legislation that would have given lay members of Roman Catholic churches more control over their parishes' finances.
Turner's attorneys have said his First Amendment are protected, even if people disagree with his views.
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