RICHLAND — A Benton County inmate who said he would “chop up” a judge while awaiting charges has been sentenced to seven years in prison for the threat.
The Tri-City Herald reports that Brandon VanWinkle will serve the intimidation sentence at the same time with a separate two-year sentence for assaulting another prisoner.
Defense attorney Shane Silverthorn has already filed a notice of appeal for the conviction
Court documents say VanWinkle told his now-former attorney, Alexandria Sheridan, that he would “chop (Judge Alex Ekstrom) up in his chambers” if he had to start wearing leg shackles and a belly chain in court. He’s also accused of threatening Sheridan and Deputy Prosecutor Kristin McRoberts.
At Tuesday’s hearing, VanWinkle said his comments were taken out of context.
