TUNKHANNOCK - A man who admitted he threatened a Wyoming County judge with bodily harm last summer asked the court for leniency Tuesday because he wanted to get home to be with his father, who has cancer.
Douglas L. Cook, 41, of Monroe Twp., pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of terroristic threats under an agreement worked out between District Attorney Jeff Mitchell and Mr. Cook's attorney, Patrick Johnson.
At Tuesday's hearing, Susquehanna County President Judge Kenneth Seamans sentenced Mr. Cook to serve between 138 days and 23 months, 29 days. He was immediately paroled. Mr. Cook has already spent 138 days in the Wyoming County Correctional Facility since his arrest, according to Mr. Johnson.
Mr. Cook had been charged with one felony count of aggravated assault and misdemeanor counts of simple assault, stalking and harassment after he left two threatening voicemail messages on Magisterial District Judge Carl Smith's personal cellphone Sept. 13.
In one of the messages left for the judge, Mr. Cook said, "I'll screw your bloody (expletive) head off," according to the criminal complaint.
On Tuesday, Mr. Cook fought back tears as he told Judge Seamans he was sorry for what he'd done. "I don't have any violent thoughts now, and I pray if you would let me go today to be with my father, you will never have any problems from me," he said.
Judge Seamans, who presided over the hearing because Wyoming County judges recused themselves from the case, said, "Violence against anyone, let alone a judge, is serious. You can't be calling up people and say you're going to do this. Do you understand you have to follow mental health treatment?"
"Yes, sir," Mr. Cook said.
Mr. Johnson said during the hearing that it was clear Mr. Cook's behavior was a result of a mental health diagnosis combined with problems with alcohol. "My experience is that when he's on his medication, he is actually quite pleasant," Mr. Johnson said.
Judge Seamans also ordered Mr. Cook to pay a $300 fine, continue with mental health treatment and to have no contact with the victim. He then asked if a parole plan was ready so Mr. Cook might be released. Mr. Johnson made an oral motion for parole, and Mr. Mitchell said he did not object.