View source for Hal Turner

{{short description|American holocaust denier and radio host}}
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| birth_name  = Harold Charles Turner
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1962|3|15}}
| birth_place = [[Jersey City, New Jersey]], U.S.
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| occupation  = Radio host
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'''Harold Charles''' "'''Hal'''" '''Turner''' (born March 15, 1962) is an American political commentator and convicted [[felon]] from [[North Bergen, New Jersey|North Bergen]], [[New Jersey]].

Turner's viewpoints typically encompass [[Holocaust denial]]<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.halturnershow.com/RedCrossRecordsProveHolocaustWasFraud.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070607135103/http://www.halturnershow.com/RedCrossRecordsProveHolocaustWasFraud.html | archive-date=2007-06-07 | title=Official records from international Red Cross prove "holocaust" was fraud  | publisher=www.halturnershow.com | date= 4 June 2007  | access-date =2009-07-15}}</ref> and [[white supremacy]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hal Turner|url=https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/hal-turner|access-date=2021-08-29|website=Southern Poverty Law Center|language=en}}</ref> and have included calls for [[assassination]] of government officials.  In August 2010, he was convicted for making threats against three federal judges with the [[7th Circuit|7th U.S. Circuit]] [[United States courts of appeals|Court of Appeals]], for which he spent two years in prison.

Turner has sporadically hosted ''The Hal Turner Show'', usually on [[shortwave radio]] station [[WBCQ (SW)|WBCQ]], since 2002, as well as a corresponding [[blog]], which has changed [[Uniform Resource Locator|URLs]] frequently and has spread [[hoax]]es and [[fake news]].

==Early life==
Turner was born in [[Jersey City, New Jersey|Jersey City]] and raised in [[Union City, New Jersey|Union City]] and from age five in [[Ridgefield Park, New Jersey|Ridgefield Park]], where he attended [[Ridgefield Park High School]].<ref>[https://archive.hudsonreporter.com/2000/03/20/what-makes-hal-turner-run/ "What makes Hal Turner run?"], ''[[The Hudson Reporter]]'', March 20, 2000. Accessed November 26, 2019. "Turner was born in Jersey City and lived in Union City until he was five years old, when his family moved to Ridgefield Park, where he was raised and attended high school."</ref> Prior to working on radio, Turner worked as a driver and a salesman.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2003/fall/40-to-watch?page=0,7|title=40 to Watch: Leaders of the Radical Right|newspaper=Southern Poverty Law Center |access-date=2010-12-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229181336/http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2003/fall/40-to-watch?page=0,7|archive-date=2010-12-29|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Early career==
Identifying himself as "Hal from North Bergen", Turner became notable in [[Conservatism in the United States|American conservative]] circles as a frequent caller to and supporter of [[WABC (AM)|WABC]] radio talk show hosts [[Bob Grant (radio host)|Bob Grant]] and [[Sean Hannity]].<ref name=Hannity>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.thenation.com/article/hannitys-soul-mate-hate|last=Blumenthal|first=Max|date=2005-06-03|publisher=The Nation|title=Hannity's Soul-Mate of Hate|access-date=2015-05-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518081436/http://www.thenation.com/article/hannitys-soul-mate-hate|archive-date=2015-05-18|url-status=live}}</ref> Turner parlayed this fame into a role as the northern New Jersey coordinator for [[Patrick J. Buchanan]]'s 1992 presidential campaign.

Turner claims he established a friendship with Sean Hannity,<ref name=Hannity /> on whose radio program he had once been a frequent presence.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.thenation.com/article/hannitys-soul-mate-hate?page=0,1|last=Blumenthal|first=Max|date=2005-06-03|publisher=The Nation|title=Hannity's Soul-Mate of Hate (page 2)|access-date=2015-05-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518081500/http://www.thenation.com/article/hannitys-soul-mate-hate?page=0,1|archive-date=2015-05-18|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2008, while Hannity and [[Malik Zulu Shabazz]] of the [[New Black Panther Party]] were debating [[Barack Obama]]'s association with [[Jeremiah Wright]], Shabazz asked Hannity if he should "be judged by (his) promotion and association with Hal Turner". Hannity began to say that he didn't know Turner, but then said he was someone he had banned from his radio program ten years before. Turner subsequently gave an account of their association on his website, in which he said of Hannity's response: "I was quite disappointed when Sean Hannity at first tried to say he didn't know me. In fact, Sean does know me and we were quite friendly a few years ago."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.myspace.com/bffhannity|author=Hal Turner|date=2008-03-23|title=About Sean Hannity and Me|access-date=2012-04-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151129095117/https://myspace.com/bffhannity|archive-date=2015-11-29|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/23/sean-hannity-confronted-o_n_92961.html|author=Jason Linkins|date=2008-03-23|title=Sean Hannity Confronted Over His Relationship With Neo-Nazi Hal Turner|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=2008-05-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080608023424/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/23/sean-hannity-confronted-o_n_92961.html|archive-date=2008-06-08|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Phil Boyce]], Program Director of WABC, disputed the account, which described a friendship developing between Turner and Hannity in 1993, three years before Hannity was actually hired at WABC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newshounds.us/2008/03/23/neo_naziwhite_supremacist_hal_turner_confirms_friendship_and_kinship_with_sean_hannity.php|author=Ellen|date=2008-03-23|title=Neo Nazi/White Supremacist Hal Turner Confirms Friendship And Kinship With Sean Hannity|publisher=News Hounds|access-date=2012-04-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211094702/http://www.newshounds.us/2008/03/23/neo_naziwhite_supremacist_hal_turner_confirms_friendship_and_kinship_with_sean_hannity.php|archive-date=2012-02-11|url-status=live}}</ref>

Turner became a talk radio host, joining fellow regular callers Frank from [[Queens]] and John from [[Staten Island]] to start the program ''The Right Perspective''. Turner left the program in 2002, citing artistic differences. In 2002, Turner became a solo host, purchasing a time slot on [[shortwave]] radio station [[WBCQ (SW)|WBCQ]], over which he broadcast for approximately four years. On WBCQ on March 22, 2004, he left the show "after harshly criticizing his supporters, listeners, and WBCQ."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://schedule.wbcq.com/main.php?fn=show_program&id=50 | title=Annotated WBCQ Program Guide | publisher=WBCQ | year=2004 | access-date=2009-07-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005111651/http://schedule.wbcq.com/main.php?fn=show_program&id=50 | archive-date=2008-10-05 | url-status=dead }}</ref> The show lacked financial support<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldofradio.com/dxld4123.txt|title=Stopped broadcasting on March 22, 2004 from WBCQ|access-date=2008-05-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516083851/http://www.worldofradio.com/dxld4123.txt|archive-date=2008-05-16|url-status=live}}</ref> and Turner had health problems,<ref>Turner was in the hospital a number of times in 2003 and 2004 [http://www.frn.net/vines/Forum1/HTML/000877.html ]  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419033632/http://www.frn.net/vines/Forum1/HTML/000877.html |date=April 19, 2012 }}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=August 2009}} leading to the temporary closure of his website and show.{{Citation needed|date=November 2008}}

==Activism and assault claims==
In [[United States House of Representatives elections, 2000#New Jersey|the 2000 US congress election]], Turner sought the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] nomination for election to the [[United States Congress]] from New Jersey's 13th congressional district. He received 18.6% of the vote, losing to Theresa de Leon.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.asp?id=NJ13&cycle=2000 |title=Congressional Races| publisher=[[OpenSecrets]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061227100229/http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.asp?id=NJ13&cycle=2000|archive-date=2006-12-27|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2000-primary-elect-house-candidate-tallies.pdf|title=Official List Candidate Returns for House of Representatives For June 2000 Primary Election|date=17 April 2008|work=njelections.org|publisher=New Jersey Secretary of State|page=14|access-date=13 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822222239/http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2000-primary-elect-house-candidate-tallies.pdf|archive-date=2012-08-22|url-status=live}}</ref> Turner has identified himself as the "Chairman of the Republican Party of Hudson County, NJ Corp," a group which has no connection to the official [[Hudson County, New Jersey|Hudson County]] Republican Party recognized by the state and national party. According to news reports, Hudson County Republican officials have stated that Turner's party is a "paper corporation with little or no membership".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.getnj.com/onlygameintown/turnervazquez.shtml |title=GET NJ - Hudson County Hate Monger Hal Turner Faces Purple Heart Veteran Jaime Vazquez in Court<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2007-01-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061212203032/http://www.getnj.com/onlygameintown/turnervazquez.shtml |archive-date=2006-12-12 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In response to an October 7, 2005, [[assault]] against a white student by a Black student at [[Kingston High School (Kingston, New York)|Kingston High School]], Turner, working with the [[white nationalism|white nationalist]] group [[National Vanguard (American organization)|National Vanguard]], organized a rally which he called a "rally against violence".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulsterpublishing.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=356782|title=Woodstock Times: "Turning our backs in unity Kingston falls into line behind mayor's call to SPURN white supremacist rally"|access-date=2007-07-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060523014201/http://www.ulsterpublishing.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=356782|archive-date=2006-05-23|url-status=dead}}</ref> He characterized the rally as both "pro-white" and "against violence".<ref name=DailyFreeman-rally>{{cite news | url=http://www.dailyfreeman.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1769&dept_id=74969&newsid=15534522&PAG=461&rfi=9 | title=Supremacist vows KHS rally | publisher=[[Daily Freeman]] | year=2005 | access-date=2009-07-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927121105/http://www.dailyfreeman.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1769&dept_id=74969&newsid=15534522&PAG=461&rfi=9 | archive-date=2007-09-27 | url-status=dead }}</ref> The victim's mother chose not to attend the rally.<ref name=DailyFreeman-rally />{{Dead link|date=November 2015}} In response, local residents, including political and religious leaders, organized a number of "Unity Rallies" with a tolerance theme.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.ulsterpublishing.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=356782 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060523014201/http://www.ulsterpublishing.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=356782 | archive-date=2006-05-23 | title=Turning our backs in unity Kingston falls into line behind mayor's call to SPURN white supremacist rally  | publisher=[[Woodstock Times]] | date= 2005-11-18 | first=Paul | last=Smart | access-date =2009-07-15}}</ref> When the rally occurred on November 19, 2005, Turner and the National Vanguard attracted approximately 50 demonstrators, compared to the 100 counter-demonstrators.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/turner_051117.htm | title=Hal Turner, White Supremacists Exploit Tensions in Kingston, NY | publisher=[[Anti-Defamation League]] | year=2005 | access-date=2009-07-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527012820/http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/turner_051117.htm | archive-date=2009-05-27 | url-status=dead }}</ref> Turner called for the attacker to be charged with a [[hate crime]], but the case resulted in the perpetrator being indicted as an adult with two [[felony]] counts: [[assault]] and attempted assault instead.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://dailyfreeman.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=15749825&BRD=1769&PAG=461&dept_id=74969&rfi=8 | title=KHS teen indicted for assault, not hate crime | publisher=[[Daily Freeman]] | date=December 14, 2005 | first=Mary | last=Fairchild | access-date=2009-07-15 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.dailyfreeman.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1769&dept_id=74969&newsid=15534522&PAG=461&rfi=9 | title=Supremacist vows KHS rally | publisher=[[Daily Freeman]] | year=2005 | first=Paul | last=Kirby | access-date=2009-07-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927121105/http://www.dailyfreeman.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1769&dept_id=74969&newsid=15534522&PAG=461&rfi=9 | archive-date=2007-09-27 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

On April 12, 2006, Turner had a physical altercation with Jaime Vazquez, a former [[Jersey City, New Jersey|Jersey City]] deputy mayor and a member of the Jersey City Council, who was the Jersey City Commissioner of Veterans Affairs at the time. ''The North Bergen Reporter'' quoted Turner as saying "(t)he [[illegal immigration|illegal immigrants]] are breaking the law, and people like me should break the law as well by shooting them down." In response, Vazquez picketed with a sign reading "Hal Turner — shoot me! [[Racism|Racists]] and [[Bigotry|bigots]] like you are cowards."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/2408387/article-Battle-with-NB-white-supremacist-continues-Former-JC-Councilman-Vasquez--controversial-host-Hal-Turner-get-into-physical-altercation |title=The Hudson Reporter - No charges in case of ex-councilman v. white supremacistNorth Bergen judge rules Turner, Vazquez not guilty<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2016-01-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101109024520/http://hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/2408387/article-Battle-with-NB-white-supremacist-continues-Former-JC-Councilman-Vasquez--controversial-host-Hal-Turner-get-into-physical-altercation |archive-date=2010-11-09 |url-status=live }}</ref> This was followed by a physical confrontation, during which Vazquez suffered a back injury and a fractured wrist. Turner and Vazquez later filed criminal charges against each other. On July 16, 2006 [[North Bergen, NJ|North Bergen]] Municipal Court Judge Joseph Romano found both men to be equally credible and thus neither criminally liable.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/2408387/article-Battle-with-NB-white-supremacist-continues-Former-JC-Councilman-Vasquez--controversial-host-Hal-Turner-get-into-physical-altercation | title=No charges in case of ex-councilman v. white supremacist | publisher=[[Hudson Reporter]] | date=July 16, 2006 | first=Jim | last=Hague | access-date=2009-07-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101109024520/http://hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/2408387/article-Battle-with-NB-white-supremacist-continues-Former-JC-Councilman-Vasquez--controversial-host-Hal-Turner-get-into-physical-altercation | archive-date=2010-11-09 | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Broadcasting and website issues==
In 2002, Turner started broadcasting, but quit the show in July 2008<ref>{{cite news  | url=http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2008/winter/extremist-media  | title=Racist Radio, Newspaper Close Up Shops  | publisher=[[Southern Poverty Law Center]]  | date=Winter 2008  | access-date=2011-04-15  | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110415115547/http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2008/winter/extremist-media  | archive-date=2011-04-15  | url-status=live  }}</ref> and resumed broadcasting it in April 2009 as the Turner Radio Network. In August 2008 his website also closed. Although he retained a [[blog]], it was shut down by his host, [[Google]]'s [[Blogger (service)|Blogger]], for violations of [[terms of service]].<ref>{{cite news  | url=http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-hal-turner-to-surrender-0611,0,5413334.story  | title=Right-Wing Blogger Hal Turner Surrenders To Capitol Police  | publisher=[[Hartford Courant]]  | date=June 11, 2009  | access-date=2011-04-15  | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009103313/http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-hal-turner-to-surrender-0611,0,5413334.story  | archive-date=2012-10-09  | url-status=live  }}</ref>

===Origin of China eminent domain hoax===
In February 2009, Turner posted an article on his blog entitled: "FEDS GRANT [[Eminent domain|EMINENT DOMAIN]] AS COLLATERAL TO [[China|CHINA]] FOR U.S. DEBTS!" claiming that a secret agreement had been made to allow China to physically take U.S. land, in the event of a U.S. default.<ref name="FEDS GRANT EMINENT DOMAIN AS COLLATERAL TO CHINA FOR U.S. DEBTS!">{{cite web | url=http://halturnershow.blogspot.com/2009/02/feds-grant-eminent-domain-as-collateral.html/| title=Hal Turner Show | access-date=2009-12-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302062835/http://www.halturnershow.blogspot.com/2009/02/feds-grant-eminent-domain-as-collateral.html |archive-date=2009-03-02}}</ref> The story created "hundreds of identical Internet replications" according  to [[Snopes]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/domain.asp | title=Snopes: Feds Grant China Eminent Domain | publisher=[[Snopes]]  | date= March 2009  | access-date =2011-04-15 |quote=... the story appears only in the blog of former radio host Hal Turner ... and in hundreds of identical Internet replications.}}</ref>

===Anonymous website raid===
Turner stated that in December 2006 and January 2007 individuals who identified themselves as members of the group [[Anonymous (group)|Anonymous]] took Turner's website offline, costing him thousands of dollars in [[bandwidth (computing)|bandwidth]] bills. On January 19, 2007, Turner sued [[4chan]], [[eBaum's World]], 7chan, Abjects [[Internet Relay Chat|IRC]] network, and other websites for [[copyright infringement]]. On January 22, 2007, he lost his plea for an injunction. In February 2007 4chan responded to the lawsuit. In April 2007, the judge asked the parties to submit information to schedule proceedings. However, Turner failed to respond. Mail from the court to Turner was returned as "Undeliverable". The judge dismissed the case in December 2007.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://dockets.justia.com/docket/court-njdce/case_no-2:2007cv00306/case_id-198438/ | publisher=Justia | title=Harold C. "Hal" Turner v. 4chan.org | access-date=2007-07-27 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420131458/http://dockets.justia.com/docket/court-njdce/case_no-2:2007cv00306/case_id-198438/ | archive-date=2008-04-20 | url-status=live }}</ref>

===FBI informant===
Turner was a paid informant for the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] (FBI) for several years, supplying information about [[Right-wing politics|right-wing]] groups to federal agents.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/08/north_bergen_blogger_accused_o.html | title=North Bergen blogger accused of threatening federal judges is held without bail | publisher=[[The Star-Ledger]] | date=August 10, 2009 | access-date=2009-07-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814125838/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/08/north_bergen_blogger_accused_o.html | archive-date=2009-08-14 | url-status=live }}</ref> The original allegations that Turner acted as an informant for the FBI surfaced in 2008 after unidentified [[hacker (computer security)|hackers]] claimed on Turner's website's forums that they had read email correspondences between him and an FBI agent, apparently his [[Agent handling|handler]]. This led to a discussion on a [[Neo-Nazism|neo-Nazi]] website on January 10, 2008, in which Turner revealed that he was quitting political work, ending his radio show and separating "from the 'pro-White' movement". The FBI has declined to comment on the matter.<ref name="FBIinformraid">{{cite news|first= Mark|last= Potok|title= FBI's Use of Neo-Nazi Informant Knocked|url= http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=880|work= [[Intelligence Report]]|publisher= [[Southern Poverty Law Center]]|access-date= 2009-08-26|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090817194832/http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=880|archive-date= 2009-08-17|url-status= dead}}</ref> The [[Southern Poverty Law Center]]<ref>{{cite news|first= Brentin|last= Mock|author2= Potoc, Mark|title= Virginia Developer is USA's Loudest Neo-Nazi|url= http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=877|work= [[Intelligence Report]]|publisher= [[Southern Poverty Law Center]]|access-date= 2008-03-26|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080313210144/http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=877|archive-date= 2008-03-13|url-status= dead}}</ref> and the [[Anti-Defamation League]] reported on the emails that "a neo-Nazi Website had posted material reportedly found by the hackers, including alleged exchanges between himself and law enforcement agents which indicated that Turner had been providing information to them."<ref>{{cite news|title= Hal Turner Claims to Leave Movement After Accusations of Being an Informant|url= http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/hturner_claim.htm|publisher= [[Anti-Defamation League]]|date= 2008-01-18|access-date= 2008-03-26|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080505084811/http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/hturner_claim.htm|archive-date= 2008-05-05|url-status= dead}}</ref>

On July 28, 2009, in a [[Chicago]] courtroom, Turner's defense lawyer said that Turner worked as a paid informant for the FBI.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/07/radio-host-denies-threatening-federal-judges.html | title=Radio host denies threatening federal judges | publisher=[[Chicago Breaking News Center]] | date=July 28, 2009 | access-date=2009-07-28 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090731024430/http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/07/radio-host-denies-threatening-federal-judges.html | archive-date=2009-07-31 | url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2009, ''[[The Record (Bergen County)|The Record]]'' published an investigative report on Turner's "complex" relationship with the FBI and Federal [[United States Marshal Service|U.S. Marshal Service]], noting that all parties broke off contact at several points.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/Records_show_feds_used_ultra-right_radio_host_for_years.html | title=Records show feds used ultra-right radio host for years | publisher=[[The Record (Bergen County)|The Record]] | date=November 29, 2009 | access-date=2009-12-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091202065420/http://www.northjersey.com/news/Records_show_feds_used_ultra-right_radio_host_for_years.html | archive-date=2009-12-02 | url-status=live }}</ref>

Turner's information led to the arrests of the [[Hutaree]] militia, with Turner's FBI handler serving as the prosecution's witness.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/freep/access/2615285501.html?FMT=ABS&date=Mar+22%2C+2012 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713153233/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/freep/access/2615285501.html?FMT=ABS&date=Mar+22,+2012 | url-status=dead | archive-date=July 13, 2012 | title=Defense in Hutaree militia trial asks for a mistrial | publisher=[[Detroit Free Press]] | date=March 21, 2012 | access-date=2012-04-26 }}</ref>

Michael A. Orozco, Turner's lawyer said, "I don't think he was a racist. He was doing a lot of those things at the behest of the FBI."<ref name="WalksFree">{{cite news | url=http://www.salon.com/2012/10/09/shock_jock_neo_nazi_walks_free/ | title=Shock jock Neo-Nazi walks free | publisher=[[Salon (website)| ]] | date=October 9, 2012 | access-date=2012-10-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014044221/http://www.salon.com/2012/10/09/shock_jock_neo_nazi_walks_free/ | archive-date=2012-10-14 | url-status=live }}</ref>

===Return to radio===
On October 7, 2015, Turner returned to radio for the weekly, two hour ''Hal Turner Show'', broadcast on [[shortwave radio]] station [[WBCQ (SW)|WBCQ]] and over the internet.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.wbcq.com/?p=907 | title=The Hal Turner Show returns to WBCQ | access-date=2015-10-23 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027224412/http://www.wbcq.com/?p=907 | archive-date=2015-10-27 | url-status=dead }}</ref> For a time in 2015, Turner promoted another broadcast over "Superstation 95," a [[pirate radio]] station in the New York City area. The show aired until February 1, 2017, and then resumed on July 5, 2017, eventually adding two more shortwave affiliates, [[WRMI]] and [[WWCR]]. Turner stated at the end of March 2019 that he had run out of funds to keep the show on WBCQ and WRMI. An associated fundraising appeal was a success, and Turner expanded his broadcast to a daily show.

==Threats against judges and political figures==
Turner has a history of making threats against various public figures.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.adl.org/learn/extremism_in_the_news/White_Supremacy/hal_turner_threats_10305.htm | title=Hal Turner and His Supporters Threaten Officials and Other Targets of Their Hate | publisher=[[Anti-Defamation League]] | date=October 3, 2005 | access-date=2009-07-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604092036/http://www.adl.org/learn/extremism_in_the_news/White_Supremacy/hal_turner_threats_10305.htm | archive-date=2011-06-04 | url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2005, Turner publicized the names of three federal court judges who handled lawsuits involving [[Matthew F. Hale|Matt Hale]], a white supremacist convicted of soliciting the murder of a federal judge.<ref name="adl">{{cite news|title= White Supremacist Radio Host Urges Bombings, Assassinations|url= http://www.adl.org/learn/news/Suprem_Urge_Bomb.asp|publisher= [[Anti-Defamation League]]|date= 2005-08-22|access-date= 2008-02-16|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080424023947/http://www.adl.org/learn/news/Suprem_Urge_Bomb.asp|archive-date= 2008-04-24|url-status= dead}}</ref> Turner posted the judges' names and addresses on his Web site.<ref name="adl"/><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/02/national/02chicago.html Haunted by Threats, U.S. Judge Finds New Horror] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403063027/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/02/national/02chicago.html |date=2015-04-03 }} [[New York Times]] March 2, 2005</ref>

On December 6, 2006, Turner announced on his website:

<blockquote>We may have to ASSASSINATE some of the people you elect on Nov. 7! This could be your LAST ELECTION CHANCE, to save this Republic ... Sorry to have to be so blunt, but the country is in mortal danger from our present government and our liberty is already near dead because of this government. If you are too stupid to turn things around with your vote, there are people out here like me who are willing to turn things around with guns, force and violence. We hope our method does not become necessary<ref>Staff {May 5, 2011} [https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/01/03/conservative-radio-host-a_n_37681.html?guccounter=1 "Conservative Radio Host Announces 'Assassination' Schedule For Members Of Congress..."] ''[[HuffPost]]''</ref></blockquote>

Since the announcement was made, Turner has had difficulties finding a host for his website. He alleged that his website has been the target of [[denial of service]] attacks, and subsequently filed a [[pro se]] lawsuit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://halturnershow.blogspot.com//2006/12/my-web-site-has-been-turned-off.html|title=Hal Turner Show}}</ref><ref>[[Dallas Morning News]]. [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/nation/stories/020707dnnathate.1ae2563.html Hate-talk radio host down in mouth] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930031553/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/nation/stories/020707dnnathate.1ae2563.html |date=2007-09-30 }}. February 6, 2007</ref><ref>[http://turnerradionetwork.blogspot.com/2007/02/third-data-center-backs-out.html Hal Turner's blog] (defunct as of 11-07-07)</ref>

On April 4, 2008, Turner encouraged violence against [[Lexington, Massachusetts]], school superintendent Paul Ash for establishing a new curriculum supporting [[Homosexuality|homosexuals]]. On his website, he stated:

<blockquote>I advocate parents using FORCE AND VIOLENCE against Superintendent Paul B. Ash as a method of defending the health and safety of school children presently being endangered through his [[political correctness|{{Sic|hide=y|politically|-}}correct]] indoctrination into deadly, disease-ridden [[sodomy|sodomite]] lifestyles.<ref name=metrowest>[http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/state/x2084320886 Lexington superintendent threatened by radio host - Framingham, MA - The MetroWest Daily News<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411151242/http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/state/x2084320886 |date=2008-04-11 }}</ref></blockquote>
 
He went on to provide Ash's personal information, including his address.<ref name=metrowest/>  Fourteen months later, on June 2, 2009, Turner posted on his blog

<blockquote>Let me be the first to say this plainly: These judges deserve to be killed. Their blood will replenish the tree of liberty. A small price to pay to assure freedom for millions.</blockquote>

The next day Turner posted information on how to find Chief Judge [[Frank Easterbrook]] and Judges [[Richard Posner]] and [[William J. Bauer]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/06/blogger-threatened-to-murder-judges-feds-say/ | title=Blogger Threatened to Murder Judges, Feds Say | publisher=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] | date=June 24, 2009 | access-date=2009-07-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090721104932/http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/06/blogger-threatened-to-murder-judges-feds-say | archive-date=2009-07-21 | url-status=live }}</ref>

===Arrests, trials, and conviction===
On June 3, 2009, Turner was arrested in New Jersey and charged with inciting injury to two politicians in [[Connecticut]] and a state ethics official.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-web-turner-arrestjun04,0,7073648.story|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20100608122810/http://articles.courant.com/2009-06-04/news/hc-turner-arrest.artjun04_1_radio-host-hal-turner-beastly-government-officials-state-ethics-office|url-status=dead|archive-date=2010-06-08|title=Radio Host Hal Turner Charged With Inciting Injury To Two Connecticut Lawmakers|last=Altimari|first=Daniela|date=2009-06-04|publisher=Hartford Courant|access-date=2009-06-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.connpost.com/news/ci_12513294 |title=N.J. man charged in threats against legislators |last=Dixon |first=Ken |date=2009-06-04 |publisher=Connecticut Post |access-date=2009-06-04 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The warrant issued was for inciting his website's readers to "take up arms" against the officials.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/police_nj_blogger_called_for_a.html|title=Police: N.J. blogger called for attack on police|date=2009-06-03|agency=Associated Press|access-date=2009-06-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611145809/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/police_nj_blogger_called_for_a.html|archive-date=2009-06-11|url-status=live}}</ref>  Two weeks later, Turner was re-arrested on June 24, 2009, at his New Jersey home for making threats against the judges of the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit|United States Court of Appeals]] in [[Chicago]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/06/blogger-arrested-in-threats-on-federal-judges.html | title=Blogger arrested in threats on federal judges | publisher=Chicago Tribune | date=June 24, 2009 | access-date=2009-07-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627104912/http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/06/blogger-arrested-in-threats-on-federal-judges.html | archive-date=2009-06-27 | url-status=live }}</ref> When he was arrested, FBI officials seized 200 rounds of ammunition as well as three handguns and one shotgun. In the federal case, Turner was denied bail.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2009/06/court_bombshell_200_rounds_of.html | title=200 rounds of ammo, hollow-point bullets seized from hate blogger Turner's home | publisher=[[The Jersey Journal]] | date=June 25, 2009 | access-date=2009-07-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629053734/http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2009/06/court_bombshell_200_rounds_of.html | archive-date=2009-06-29 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/northbergen/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1246515925264120.xml | title=Turner denied bail and judge says: Next stop, Chicago | publisher=[[The Jersey Journal]] | date=Jul 1, 2009 | access-date=2009-07-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605141908/http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/northbergen/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews-0%2F1246515925264120.xml | archive-date=2011-06-05 | url-status=live }}</ref>

On June 30, 2009, the website for Turner's blog was shut down and replaced with a notice stating that the site had been taken down by Turner's family, directing interested parties to a blog for the Family of Hal Turner, with entries by his mother.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://family-of-hal-turner.blogspot.com/ | title=Family of Hal Turner | publisher=[[blogspot]] | date=July 2009 | access-date=2009-07-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100117182738/http://family-of-hal-turner.blogspot.com/ | archive-date=2010-01-17 | url-status=live }}</ref>

====''United States v. Turner''====
{{Wikisource|United States v. Turner (Sentencing Memorandum)|Government's Sentencing Memorandum: United States of America vs Harold Turner}}

On July 28, 2009, in the case of ''United States v. Turner'' in Chicago, Turner pleaded not guilty to threatening to kill three federal appellate judges there and then sought his release from custody, saying he had been an informant for the FBI.<ref name="FBISource">{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jGjfCkbb0lJpx4RYiwNr1BrjYgnAD99NMMHO0 |title=Lawyer: Man accused of judge threat was FBI source |agency=Associated Press |date=July 28, 2009 |access-date=2009-07-28 }}{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The judge gave Turner ten days "to produce concrete evidence of Turner's help to the FBI or federal marshals."<ref name="FBISource"/>
On August 11, Turner was denied bail again. The judge cited the fact that Turner, from his prison cell, recorded and posted on the internet a telephone conversation that included the names of his arresting FBI agents. The judge said that Turner's act "tells me something about the disposition of Mr. Turner."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/1709890,CST-NWS-blogger11.article | title=Man accused of threatening judges was a paid informant for the FBI | publisher=[[Chicago Sun Times]] | date=August 11, 2009 | access-date=2009-07-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814112644/http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/1709890,CST-NWS-blogger11.article | archive-date=2009-08-14 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

His lawyer said the defense would use "Turner's background as an FBI informant" and argue that he was "trained by the FBI" as "an [[agent provocateur]]" to incite people.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-web-hal-turner-0819aug19,0,1700724.story | title=Blogger arrested in threats on federal judges | publisher=[[Hartford Courant]] | date=August 18, 2009 | access-date=2009-09-18 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090821175313/http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-web-hal-turner-0819aug19,0,1700724.story | archive-date=2009-08-21 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>
{{cite news
 |url         = http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/firstamendment/2009/11/upcoming-cases-test-scope-of-online-speech-protection.html
 |title       = Upcoming trials test the boundary between 'true threats' and hyperbolic on-line speech
 |date        = 2009-11-24
 |author      = Kathleen Bergin
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20091205101837/http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/firstamendment/2009/11/upcoming-cases-test-scope-of-online-speech-protection.html
 |archive-date = 2009-12-05
 |access-date  = 2009-12-02
 |url-status     = dead
}}</ref>
In late October 2009 Turner was freed on $500,000 bond, and was ordered not to use a computer or any device that can access the Internet.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-4/1256279109115490.xml | title=Hate blogger Hal Turner is free on $500G bond but cannot access the internet | publisher=[[Jersey Journal]] | date=October 23, 2009 | access-date=2009-11-18 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605184434/http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews-4%2F1256279109115490.xml | archive-date=2011-06-05 | url-status=live }}</ref> His trial started on November 30, 2009, and ended on December 4, 2009, with the defense opting not to call any witnesses.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/crime_courts/120309_Both_sides_rest_in_trial_of_North_Jersey_shock_jock.html | title=Both sides rest in trial of North Jersey shock jock | publisher=[[The Record (Bergen County)|The Record]] | date=Dec 3, 2009 | access-date=2009-12-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829143613/http://www.northjersey.com/news/crime_courts/120309_Both_sides_rest_in_trial_of_North_Jersey_shock_jock.html | archive-date=2012-08-29 | url-status=live }}</ref> After two hours of deliberation, the jury announced it was deadlocked.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/crime_courts/120409_Jury_deadlocked_in_case_of_North_Bergen_shock_jock_Hal_Turner.html | title=Jury deadlocked in case of North Bergen shock jock Hal Turner | publisher=[[The Record (Bergen County)|The Record]] | date=Dec 4, 2009 | access-date=2009-12-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091208024656/http://www.northjersey.com/news/crime_courts/120409_Jury_deadlocked_in_case_of_North_Bergen_shock_jock_Hal_Turner.html | archive-date=2009-12-08 | url-status=live }}</ref> Three days later the judge declared a [[mistrial (law)|mistrial]], and a [[retrial]] was set for March 1, 2010.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/12/hate-blogger-mistrial/ | title=Mistrial in Case of Hate Blogger Charged With Judge Threats | publisher=Wired | date=Dec 7, 2009 | access-date=2009-12-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091210210308/http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/12/hate-blogger-mistrial | archive-date=2009-12-10 | url-status=live }}</ref> This second trial, overseen by [[United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana|Western District of Louisiana]] judge [[Donald Walter]], was moved from the [[Northern District of Illinois]] to the [[Eastern District of New York]]: since the prosecution was to call the three judges to the stand, the defense felt that Turner would not get a fair hearing if the trial was conducted in the same city where the judges worked.<ref name="marek225">{{cite news|url=http://www.law.com/jsp/nlj/PubArticleNLJ.jsp?id=1202444630931&src=EMC-Email&et=editorial&bu=National%20Law%20Journal&pt=NLJ.com-%20Daily%20Headlines&cn=20100226NLJ&kw=7th%20Circuit%20judges%20may%20testify%20in%20retrial%20over%20Web%20threats&slreturn=1&hbxlogin=1|title=7th Circuit judges may testify in retrial over Web threats|last=Marek|first=Lynne|date=February 25, 2010|work=[[National Law Journal]]|access-date=26 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607105922/http://www.law.com/jsp/nlj/PubArticleNLJ.jsp?id=1202444630931&src=EMC-Email&et=editorial&bu=National%20Law%20Journal&pt=NLJ.com-%20Daily%20Headlines&cn=20100226NLJ&kw=7th%20Circuit%20judges%20may%20testify%20in%20retrial%20over%20Web%20threats&slreturn=1&hbxlogin=1|archive-date=2011-06-07|url-status=live}}</ref> A mistrial was declared on March 10.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/10/internet-radio-hosts-case-ends-in-mistrial/ | work=The New York Times | title=Internet Radio Host's Case Ends in Mistrial | first=A. G. | last=Sulzberger | date=2010-03-10 | access-date=2010-05-04 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100314075447/http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/10/internet-radio-hosts-case-ends-in-mistrial/ | archive-date=2010-03-14 | url-status=live }}</ref>

In August 2010, his third trial began and on August 31, after three days of testimony, the jury found Turner guilty.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://articles.cnn.com/2010-08-13/justice/newyork.turner.conviction_1_hal-turner-federal-judges-chief-judge-frank-easterbrook |archive-url = https://archive.today/20120707093709/http://articles.cnn.com/2010-08-13/justice/newyork.turner.conviction_1_hal-turner-federal-judges-chief-judge-frank-easterbrook |url-status = dead |archive-date = July 7, 2012 |title = Jury finds shock jock Hal Turner guilty of threatening judges |publisher = [[CNN]] |date = Aug 13, 2010 }}</ref><ref name=HudsonReporterYIR>"Local shock jock sentenced to almost three years in prison", ''[[Year in Review: The Hudson Reporter]]'', December 26, 2010, page 13</ref> On 21 December 2010, he was sentenced to 33 months in prison. Upon completion of his sentence, he was barred from participating in Internet or satellite radio programming for three years.<ref name=HudsonReporterYIR/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/crime_courts/122110_Shock_jock_Hal_Turner_gets_33-month_prison_sentence.html |title=Shock jock Hal Turner gets 33-month prison sentence |publisher=NorthJersey.com |date=Dec 21, 2010 |access-date=2010-12-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224105803/http://www.northjersey.com/news/crime_courts/122110_Shock_jock_Hal_Turner_gets_33-month_prison_sentence.html |archive-date=2010-12-24 |url-status=live }}</ref> In his sentencing memorandum, U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald made the following comment:

<blockquote>For years, Turner has engaged in a campaign of intimidation against public officials and private citizens alike. Even Turner's arrest in this case failed to deter him. Turner continued his tactics by using intimidation against a key witness in the government's case against him. All the while, Turner has displayed defiance and no regret for his actions. Turner remains utterly incapable of acknowledging the genuine fear experienced by his innumerable victims – that is, except when ''he'' is the victim of a perceived threat. Turner has committed a serious crime, engaged in witness intimidation, lied repeatedly under oath, and has shown no regret whatsoever.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cheatingfrenzy.com/turner119.pdf |title=Government's Sentencing Memorandum: United States of America vs Harold Turner, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, No. 09 CR 650 |access-date=2010-12-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708141441/http://www.cheatingfrenzy.com/turner119.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-08 |url-status=live }}</ref></blockquote>

After his conviction, Turner was incarcerated in the [[Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn]],<ref>''United States of America vs Harold Turner, Government's Sentencing Memorandum'' 2010</ref> and was later moved to the [[Federal Correctional Complex, Terre Haute]].<ref name="NorthJersey.com">{{cite web |url = http://www.northjersey.com/news/North_Bergen_shock_jock_Hal_Turner_says_he_is_a_terrorist_target_in_federal_lock-up.html |title = North Bergen shock jock Hal Turner says he is a terrorist target in federal lock-up |publisher = NorthJersey.com |date = May 18, 2011 |access-date = 2011-05-19 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110522183625/http://www.northjersey.com/news/North_Bergen_shock_jock_Hal_Turner_says_he_is_a_terrorist_target_in_federal_lock-up.html |archive-date = 2011-05-22 |url-status = live }}</ref> In May, he sent letters to ''[[The Jersey Journal]]'' saying he is one of 38 people housed in [[Communication Management Unit]] in the prison Terre Haute with terrorists, like [[John Walker Lindh]], and fears for his life once fellow prisoners find out he was a government informant.<ref name="NorthJersey.com"/><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nj.com/hudson/voices/index.ssf/2011/05/daily_poll_was_the_government.html |title = Was the government right to assign Hal Turner to a prison unit with notorious terrorists? |publisher = [[The Jersey Journal]] |date = May 18, 2011 |access-date = 2011-05-19 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110522174101/http://www.nj.com/hudson/voices/index.ssf/2011/05/daily_poll_was_the_government.html |archive-date = 2011-05-22 |url-status = live }}</ref>

During his incarceration, Turner declared bankruptcy, and his wife filed for divorce.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.wfsb.com/news/27323892/detail.html| title=Blogger In Court On Threatening Charges| publisher=[[WFSB]]| date=March 25, 2011| access-date=2011-04-14| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110411004025/http://www.wfsb.com/news/27323892/detail.html| archive-date=2011-04-11| url-status=dead}}</ref>

In August 2011, Turner filed an appeal for his conviction. He claimed that the government "failed to substantiate the charge" and asked to be released pending the appeal.<ref>{{cite news   | url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/North_Bergen_shock_jock_Turner_appeals_conviction_for_threatening_judges.html   | title=North Bergen shock jock Turner appeals conviction for threatening judges   | publisher=[[The Record (Bergen County)|The Record]]   | date=August 23, 2011   | access-date=2011-04-14   | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001182852/http://www.northjersey.com/news/North_Bergen_shock_jock_Turner_appeals_conviction_for_threatening_judges.html   | archive-date=2012-10-01   | url-status=live   }}</ref>

====''Connecticut v. Turner''====
In July 2009 the Connecticut case was handed to a division of the state court that handles more serious matters.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/state/new_jersey/20090714_ap_njbloggersviolencecaseinconncontinued.html |title=NJ blogger's violence case in Conn. continued |publisher=[[Philadelphia Inquirer]] |date=July 14, 2009 |access-date=2009-07-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090718051927/http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/state/new_jersey/20090714_ap_njbloggersviolencecaseinconncontinued.html |archive-date=July 18, 2009 }}</ref> In early February 2011, Turner appeared in a Hartford court for the ''Connecticut v. Turner'' pre-trial hearing on three counts of inciting injuries to persons.<ref>{{cite news  | url=http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2011/02/north_bergen_shock_jock_hal_tu.html  | title=North Bergen "shock jock" Hal Turner in Connecticut tomorrow for hearing on charges he encouraged violence against lawmakers  | publisher=The Jersey Journal  | date=February 15, 2011  | access-date=2011-03-15  | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219112617/http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2011/02/north_bergen_shock_jock_hal_tu.html  | archive-date=2011-02-19  | url-status=live  }}</ref> The three felony counts Turner faced each carried one to 10 years in prison.<ref name="BloggerWants"/>

In late February 2011, the federal government reported that e-mails "show it appears Turner plans to pursue judicial and law-enforcement officials after he's released from prison." On February 2, Turner wrote "when I get out, I'm gonna go after some 'problems' and take care of them in a manner that will be horrific."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-02-28/u-s-wants-to-destroy-convicted-blogger-hal-turner-s-guns.html| title=U.S. Wants to Destroy Convicted Blogger Hal Turner's Guns| publisher=[[Business Week]]| date=February 28, 2011| access-date=2011-03-15| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110306184738/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-02-28/u-s-wants-to-destroy-convicted-blogger-hal-turner-s-guns.html| archive-date=2011-03-06| url-status=dead}}</ref>

On March 25, 2011, Turner appeared in Hartford asking the court to be allowed to change his attorney, telling the judge, "I have no confidence in his ability to defend me."<ref name="AttorneyChange">{{cite news| url=http://www.wfsb.com/news/27323892/detail.html| title=Blogger In Court On Threatening Charges| publisher=[[WFSB]]| date=March 25, 2011| access-date=2011-03-28| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110411004025/http://www.wfsb.com/news/27323892/detail.html| archive-date=2011-04-11| url-status=dead}}</ref> The judge reluctantly allowed him to change his private attorney for a public defender citing Turner's unusually bad year.<ref name="AttorneyChange"/> On April 7, with a public defender at his side, Turner pleaded not guilty and the case will go to trial.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/blogger-charged-with-encouraging-violence-against-conn-lawmakers-is-taking-his-case-to-trial/2011/04/07/AFR5XNxC_story.html | title=Blogger charged with encouraging violence against Conn. lawmakers is taking his case to trial | newspaper=[[Washington Post]]  | date= April 7, 2011  | access-date =2011-04-10}}{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

In July 2011, Turner's public defender asked for the case to be dismissed, saying Turner's statements were free speech and that Connecticut courts did not have jurisdiction because his threats were made in New Jersey.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2011/07/north_bergen_hate_blogger_hal_1.html | title=North Bergen hate blogger Hal Turner set to argue case in Connecticut should be dismissed on free speech grounds | publisher=[[The Jersey Journal]] | date=July 24, 2011 | access-date=2011-07-24 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017080428/http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2011/07/north_bergen_hate_blogger_hal_1.html | archive-date=2012-10-17 | url-status=live }}</ref> Prosecutor Thomas Garcia responded that Turner himself wrote that his intent behind the writing was to "foment direct action" against the lawmakers "personally."<ref name="BloggerWants">{{cite news | url=http://www.courant.com/news/local/statewire/hc-ap-ct-blogger-threatsjul26,0,4986941.story | title=Blogger wants Conn. 'take up arms' charges tossed | publisher=[[Hartford Courant]] | date=July 26, 2011 | access-date=2011-07-24 }}{{Dead link|date=December 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In September 2011, Turner asked Judge [[Carl J. Schuman]] for permission to represent himself after disagreeing with his public defender, John Stawicki, about defense strategy.<ref name="AttorneySelection">{{cite news | url=https://www.courant.com/2011/09/08/blogger-who-allegedly-incited-people-to-injure-officials-will-act-as-own-lawyer/ | title=Blogger Who Allegedly Incited People To Injure Officials Will Act As Own Lawyer | publisher=[[Hartford Courant]] | date=September 8, 2011 | access-date=2011-07-24 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813192133/http://articles.courant.com/2011-09-08/news/hc-hartford-harold-turner-trial-0909-20110908_1_harold-hal-turner-beastly-government-officials-jury-selection | archive-date=2012-08-13 | url-status=live }}</ref> Judge Schuman agreed, but Stawicki remained as stand-by counsel.<ref name="AttorneySelection"/> That same week jury selection began.<ref name="JurySelection">{{cite news | url=https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=14466232 | title=Jury Being Chosen in 'Take up Arms' Blogger Trial | work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]  | date= September 7, 2011  | access-date =2011-07-24}}</ref>

On September 16, 2011, after three hours of deliberation, Turner was found not guilty of "felony inciting injury to people and misdemeanor threatening."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nj.com/jjournal-weeklies/index.ssf/2011/09/north_bergen_blogger_wins_acqu.html | title=North Bergen blogger wins acquittal on Connecticut charges | publisher=[[The Jersey Journal]] | date=Sep 23, 2011 | access-date=2011-09-24 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151129095117/http://www.nj.com/jjournal-weeklies/index.ssf/2011/09/north_bergen_blogger_wins_acqu.html | archive-date=2015-11-29 | url-status=live }}</ref> After hugging his family, Turner was "escorted back into custody" to continue serving his sentence in the federal case.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://articles.courant.com/2011-09-16/news/hc-hal-turner-trial-0917-20110916_1_beastly-government-officials-police-department-or-court-harold-hal-turner | title=Jury Gets Case Of Blogger Charged With Threatening State Lawmakers | publisher=[[Hartford Courant]] | date=September 16, 2011 | access-date=2011-09-24 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530233908/http://articles.courant.com/2011-09-16/news/hc-hal-turner-trial-0917-20110916_1_beastly-government-officials-police-department-or-court-harold-hal-turner | archive-date=2013-05-30 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

Turner was released from prison on October 5, 2012.<ref name="bop">Harold Charles Turner, inmate # 30057-050; {{cite news | url=http://www.bop.gov/iloc2/InmateFinderServlet?Transaction=IDSearch&needingMoreList=false&IDType=IRN&IDNumber=30057-050&x=73&y=13 | title=Inmate Locator | publisher=[[Federal Bureau of Prisons]] | year=2011 | access-date=2015-10-23 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920174738/http://www.bop.gov/iloc2/InmateFinderServlet?Transaction=IDSearch&needingMoreList=false&IDType=IRN&IDNumber=30057-050&x=73&y=13 | archive-date=2012-09-20 | url-status=live }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.halturnerradioshow.com/ HalTurnerRadioShow.com] (Turner's current site as of 2021)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.halturnershow.com/index.html www.halturnershow.com (defunct)] archived at [[Archive.org]]
* [http://family-of-hal-turner.blogspot.com Blog with updates on his status]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080405203823/http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/interviews/102 Follow-up interview with ''The Nation'': "Max Blumenthal Probes Hannity's History With Talk Radio's 'Angry White Men' -- and Fanning the Flames of Racial Politics"]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060602111003/http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/turner_own_words.htm Anti-Defamation League: "Turner in his own words"]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051014054409/http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?pid=215 Southern Poverty Law Center: "The Host of Hate: Harold C. Turner"]
* [http://www.cheatingfrenzy.com/turner119.pdf Government's Sentencing Memorandum: United States of America vs Harold Turner] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708141441/http://www.cheatingfrenzy.com/turner119.pdf |date=2011-07-08 }}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Turner, Hal}}
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