Opinion ID: 2609791
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Call # 2 (Count I)

Text: The evidence demonstrated that call # 2 was received by Middleton and consisted of a threat to go to Bethesda and blow Middleton's head off. At trial Middleton identified the voice on the police dispatcher tape as the same voice as that from call # 2, and Officer Donnelly testified that the voice on the dispatcher tape was that of McCone's. This was sufficient evidence to form the basis of a reasonable inference that McCone was the caller on call # 2. McCone also argues that there was insufficient evidence to support the jury's conclusion that he acted in reckless disregard of the risk of causing evacuation or serious public inconvenience for call # 2. Middleton's testimony concerning what the caller saidget her on the phone [or I will] come up there and blow [your] [expletive] head offwas sufficient for the jury to infer that the caller acted in reckless disregard of the risk of causing evacuation or a serious public inconvenience. Although the threat in call # 2 was directed at an individual not at the facility, the risk that the call would likely cause evacuation or similar serious public inconvenience remained substantial; as was demonstrated by the testimony, which revealed that immediately after this call the care for the residents was reduced, the police were summoned to Bethesda and the facility was, very uncharacteristically, locked down. In light of that risk, the jury could infer that making the call was reckless. Therefore, there was sufficient evidence for the jury to convict McCone of making a terroristic threat based on call # 2 (Count I).