Lehighton woman found guilty of terroristic threats
A Lehighton woman was found guilty on Monday by a Carbon County judge of terroristic threats and harassment after making a theatening phone call.
Indira Kutlu, 47, of 1225 Station St., was found gulty by Senior Judge Richard W. Webb following a non-jury bench trial.
Kutlu was charged by Palmerton police officer Michael Fedor with calling an answering service at the Palmerton Telephone Company and threatening Dr. Christopher D. Imber. The incident occurred on Jan. 1, 2009.
Kutlu called the service and told the operator to give Dr. Imber a message. She was quoted as saying, "Give the pig a message." She added, "He must be dead. He will be dead." She then asked if he had a car and if he was Jewish. She told the operator that she was upset with the service she had received from the doctor, who is a member of the Carbon Medical Associates group.
Dr. Imber testified that he felt the threat was real and he did fear for his life.
At the trial Kutlu claimed that statement, "He must be dead. He will be dead", referred to her beliefs that God will punish a person for wrongdoing and that it was not an actual threat from her.
Assistant District Attorney William E. McDonald argued that the threat was real when the defendant made the comments of the victim "must be dead" and "will be dead." He also said the claim by the defendant about a religious belief of God punishing a person only came to light at the trial and at no other time to prior during the case.
Webb ruled that it was a real threat made by the defendant and the doctor had reason to fear for his life as he testified. Webb also said a person who is not satisfied by a service received has alternatives in the civil courts, not to make threats.
Webb granted a motion by defense Atty. Paul Levy to drop a charge of ethnic intimidation be dismissed because the elements of that charge were not present in the information filed.
Webb deferred sentencing and ordered a presentence investigation (PSI) be prepared by the adult probation office.
