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Man sentenced to jail for threatening prosecutor
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More from Other NewsA judge sentenced a Santa Barbara man to 270 days in jail for threatening a Ventura County prosecutor.
Michael Jon Helman pleaded guilty last month to making threatening phone calls to Senior Deputy District Attorney Karen Wold, who successfully prosecuted Helman several years ago.
Helman's lawyer, Todd Howeth, said in an interview that his client was remorseful and cooperated with police during the investigation. Howeth said Helman has had mental health problems.
"His family is taking every step they can to ensure he gets proper treatment," Howeth said. "He was extremely remorseful and sad for what happened, and he took responsibility. He was very cooperative."
Helman pleaded guilty to making criminal threats and threatening a state official.
Ventura County Superior Court Judge Bruce Clark ordered that Helman pay $487 in court fees and restitution. Also, Helman was ordered to stay away from Wold and her family.
Helman, 45, left Wold three voice messages on Aug. 27, saying she messed up his life eight years ago, and "her life was over," according to a declaration submitted by prosecutors to the court.
Helman has a history of making threats to officials and others.
Six years ago, he allegedly threatened Ventura County Superior Court Judge Colleen Toy White and demanded that she withdraw another criminal case against him. Helman left nine voice messages on the work phone of White's secretary, according to court documents.
In 2001, two people obtained restraining orders against him, court records show.
A month later, a social worker assigned to investigate Helman for allegedly abusing a child got a restraining order after he "threatened to blow up the child protective services building," according to a court document.
Posted by rebel123 on December 18, 2007 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ironic.....I know of a public defender who's life was threatened by the father of a client. The public defender's office did nothing. Oh, except confirm the home address for the person who then sent threatening letters to the defender's house! Funny how different things are on one side of the fence from the other, eh?
Posted by RC on December 18, 2007 at 12:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hopefully this lunatic will get the mental health services that he needs
Posted by kyliepoo007 on December 18, 2007 at 12:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh great, another crazy person in the prison system. Like he's going to get help in there.... What a waste of taxpayers money!!
Posted by josess on December 18, 2007 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Personally i think that just by this person saying
" i'm going to blow up the child protective services building". he would at least get 2 years
for terrorist threat. That comes to show you
how are judicial system works. one time my child of 3 1/2 years(at the time) was running around the front lawn with only his underwear in the middle of summer and somebody called social services on me. you guys want to know my punishment for that?
And this is the honest to god truth.
CHILD ENDANGERMENT
$1500 DOLLARS COURT FEES
AND ABOVE THAT 30 DAYS IN COUNTY JAIL.
Now you decide if Mr Helman's punishment is fair.
Posted by sunnbear on December 18, 2007 at 3:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I run around the lawn in my underware all the time!
Posted by NothingButTheTruth on December 18, 2007 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
josess, there's more to the story than your summary... gotta be...
Posted by DuchessBray on December 20, 2007 at 5:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I bet mom and dad are helping him, more like enabling him. His parents are in such denial they will feed children to him like candy. They are just as guilty as he is for the crimes. I have known the family since 1991. I can tell you everything this paper isn't telling.
Bipolar isn't a excuse there are other bipolar's who function just fine.
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