Opinion ID: 2204642
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 30

Heading: Terroristic Threats

Text: With respect to the terroristic threats charge, Van argues that J.G.C. stated in the e-mail correspondence and admitted on cross-examination that he needed to be afraid of Van. Van argues that his conduct cannot be a terroristic threat when [J.G.C.], the victim, is asking Van to threaten him, to make him afraid of Van. Brief for appellant at 32. We view this as a restatement of Van's contention that because J.G.C. originally consented to the BDSM relationship, Van cannot be convicted of terroristic threats. We find no merit in this argument. A person commits terroristic threats if he or she threatens to commit any crime of violence ... [w]ith the intent to terrorize another. § 28-311.01(1)(a). In State v. Saltzman, 235 Neb. 964, 458 N.W.2d 239 (1990), we held that the terroristic threats statute required neither an actual intent to execute the threats made nor that the recipient of the threat actually be terrorized. Because the State was not required to prove J.G.C. was actually terrorized, the only issue for the jury was whether Van possessed the intent to terrorize him. There was evidence that Van threatened J.G.C.'s life, which is sufficient to support the conviction for terroristic threats.