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Barack Obama assassination scares may refer to:

This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Barack Obama assassination scares.
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-'''2008 Barack Obama assassination scare''' may refer to:
+'''Barack Obama assassination scares''' may refer to:
 * [[2008 Barack Obama assassination scare in Denver]]
 * [[2008 Barack Obama assassination scare in Tennessee]]
 * [[2009 Obama assassination plot in Hawaii]]
+{{disambig}}
-The '''Barack Obama assassination scares''' refers to the many people planning to kill the Obamas.
-{{Rescue}}
-{{more footnotes}}
-{{cleanup}}
-==Hawaii, 2009==
-The '''2009 Obama assassination plot in Hawaii''' was a plot to kill U.S. Marines and U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama.  It was notable in that it was reported in several countries, not just the U.S.
-[[Kristy Lee Roshia]] joins the club including [[John Hinckley]], people who have tried to kill the First Family.  She is a 35 year old American woman.  She knew where the Obamas were going to stay in Hawaii and was arrested 2 miles from there.
-While being arrested she struck a federal officer in the face and was charged with assault, too.
-This is not the first plot to kill the Obamas.  Unfortunately, this has happened before as in the [[2008 Barack Obama assassination scare in Denver]] and the [[2008 Barack Obama assassination scare in Tennessee]].
-Only one of which was actually a plot to kill the president.  The other was a drunken man who was passing by the white house and was in legal possesion of a handgun which was in his vehicle, unloaded with no ammunition in the car.
-[[Image:Gartrell johnson adolf.jpg|thumb|250 px|right|Booking shots of Tharin Gartrell, Nathan Johnson and Shawn Adolf following their arrest for allegedly plotting to shoot [[President of the United States|President]] [[Barack Obama]].|alt=Three headshot images of Tharin Gartrell, Nathan Johnson and Shawn Adolf.]]
-==Denver, 2008==
-The '''2008 Barack Obama assassination scare in Denver''' refers to an alleged plot by Shawn Robert Adolf, Tharin Robert Gartrell and Nathan Dwaine Johnson to [[Assassination|assassinate]] [[Barack Obama]], then the 2008 [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] [[presidential nominee]]. The trio allegedly planned to shoot Senator Obama with a high-powered rifle during the [[2008 Democratic National Convention|Democratic National Convention]] in [[Denver, Colorado]].
-The alleged motive for the attempted assassination was a [[white supremacist]] belief that an [[African American]] should not be elected [[President of the United States]]. Gartrell was arrested August 24, 2008, and found to be in possession of rifles and other weaponry; Adolf and Johnson were arrested shortly thereafter. In a televised interview after his arrest, Johnson identified Adolf as the man who allegedly hatched the assassination plot and planned to be the shooter.
-Although suspected white supremacist associations led federal authorities to investigate possible ties to a larger group, authorities later downplayed the three men as drug addicts who had "little chance" of actually carrying out the plot. The trio were charged with drug and weapons charges, but not for threatening a presidential candidate.
-===Investigation and arrests===
-[[Image:Barack Obama addresses LULAC 7-8-08.JPG|thumb|250 px|right|The three men allegedly planned to shoot [[Barack Obama]] during his acceptance speech at the [[2008 Democratic National Convention]].|alt=Barack Obama delivering his acceptance speech.]]Tharin Robert Gartrell, 28; his cousin Shawn Robert Adolf, 33; and their friend Nathan Dwaine Johnson, 32, allegedly came to [[Denver, Colorado|Denver]], [[Colorado]] in August 2008 specifically to kill then-[[United States Senate|Senator]] [[Barack Obama]] at the [[2008 Democratic National Convention|Democratic National Convention]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Parks |first1=Gregory S. |last2=Heard |first2=Danielle C. |year=2009 |title="Assassinate the Nigger Ape": Obama, Implicit Imagery, and the Dire Consequences of Racist Jokes |journal=[[Cornell Law School|Cornell Law School Working Papers]] |issue= |page=2 |url=http://scholarship.law.cornell.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1063&context=clsops_papers}}</ref><ref name="DP0829">{{Cite news |last=Cardona |first=Felisa |url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_10329577 |title=1 of 3 men in Obama threat case in court on drug charge |work=[[The Denver Post]] |date=2008-08-29 |accessdate=2008-08-29}}</ref> The men came to Denver before Obama arrived there,<ref name="DP0829" /> and checked into a room at the [[Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center|Hyatt Regency Tech Center]], where they mistakenly believed Obama was staying (in fact, Obama was staying at a hotel downtown).<ref name="RMN0903">{{Cite news |last=Burnett |first=Sara |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/sep/03/drug-suspect-wanted-shoot-obama-invesco/ |title=Drug suspect wanted to shoot Obama at Invesco |work=[[Rocky Mountain News]] |date=2008-09-03 |accessdate=2008-09-03}}</ref> Federal authorities began an investigation into the trio after they made alleged [[Racism|racist]] threats against Obama while taking [[methamphetamine]] in the hotel room.<ref name="AP0826">{{Cite news |last1=Wyatt |first1=Kristen |last2=Jordan |first2=Lara Lakes |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-08-25-52330391_x.htm |title=Fed official: Colo. men no "true" threat to Obama |work=[[Associated Press]]'' |date=2008-08-26 |accessdate=2008-08-26}}</ref> A woman present for their conversation, who was not identified by an affidavit, told [[Colorado State Patrol]] officers they "could not believe how close he was to becoming President".<ref name="DM0827">{{Cite news |last=Gardner |first=David |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1049169/White-supremacists-cleared-gun-plot-assassinate-Barack-Obama.html |title=White supremacists cleared of gun plot to assassinate Barack Obama |work=[[Daily Mail]] |date=2008-08-27 |accessdate=2008-08-27}}</ref> She claimed they spoke about killing the presumed Democratic presidential nominee, and that Adolf allegedly said, "No [[nigger]] should ever live in the [[White House]]."<ref name="NJ0827">{{Cite news |last1=Maggs |first1=John |last2=Freidman |first2=Dan |url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/conventions/co_20080827_1800.php |title=Authorities play down plot against Obama |work=[[National Journal]] |date=2008-08-27 |accessdate=2008-09-01}}</ref> A woman in the group said it would be a "suicide mission",<ref name="RMN0903" /> and it would be best done by hiding a gun inside a hollowed-out television video camera, like in the 1992 [[Kevin Costner]] movie, ''[[The Bodyguard]]''.<ref name="RMN0903" /> Security had already been tight around Obama due to low-grade fears of possible assassination attempts against the first [[African American]] major party presidential candidate.<ref name="LAT0826">{{Cite news |last=Riccardi |first=Nicholas |url=http://articles.latimes.com/2008/aug/27/nation/na-plot27 |title=Men's threat to kill Obama is downplayed |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=2008-08-26 |accessdate=2008-08-26}}</ref><ref name="NYT0826">{{Cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Kirk |last2=Lichtblau |first2=Eric |author-link2=Eric Lichtblau |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/27/us/politics/27plot.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=tharin%20gartrell&st=cse&oref=slogin |title=Officials see no "credible threat" to Obama in racist rants |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=2008-08-26 |accessdate=2008-08-26}}</ref> Authorities did not identify the woman who informed on the trio, nor did they disclose whether she was charged with a crime.<ref name="AP0826" />
-Gartrell was reportedly going out to buy cigarettes when he was arrested at about 1:30 a.m. on August 24.<ref name="NYDN0827">{{Cite news |last1=Piazza |first1=Jo |last2=Meek |first2=James Gordon |last3=Kennedy |first3=Helen |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/08/27/2008-08-27_feds_trio_of_wouldbe_obama_assassins_not.html |title=Feds: Trio of would-be Obama assassins not much of "threat" |work=[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]] |date=2008-08-27 |accessdate=2008-09-01}}</ref> Police in [[Aurora, Colorado]], a suburb east of Denver, pulled over his rented 2008 blue [[Dodge Ram]] truck, which was swerving erratically.<ref name="RMN0826">{{Cite news |last1=Ensslin |first1=John C. |last2=Villa |first2=Judi |last3=Washington |first3=April M. |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/aug/25/police-investigate-possible-plot-kill-obama/ |title=U.S. attorney "confident" Obama not threatened |work=[[Rocky Mountain News]] |date=2008-08-26 |accessdate=2008-08-26}}</ref> Police found a [[Ruger M77|Ruger Model M77]] [[Ruger M77#M77 Mark II|Mark II]] 22-250 bolt-action rifle with an attached scope and bipod, and a [[Remington Arms|Remington]] [[Remington Model 721|Model 721]] 270 bolt-action rifle with an attached hunting scope. One of the rifles was fitted with a silencer.<ref name="DP0829" /> Police also found two wigs, three fake IDs, camouflage clothing, a bulletproof vest, two walkie-talkies and 4.4 grams of what appeared to be methamphetamine in the truck.<ref name="AP0826" /><ref name="NYP0826">{{Cite news |last1=Otis |first1=Ginger Adams |last2=Venezia |first2=Todd |url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/item_2G7hD52Be2hUie1RG82uTM |title=Would-be assassins had seething hatred for Barack Obama |work=[[New York Post]] |date=2008-08-26 |accessdate=2008-08-26}}</ref> The truck contained enough drug-making equipment for the vehicle to be considered "a mobile lab".<ref name="NYDN0827" /> At least one of the rifles was stolen.<ref name="RMN0826" /> Gartrell was high on methamphetamine when arrested. He was found to be driving on a suspended license,<ref name="AP0826" /> and was carrying a false Colorado identification card with a [[Centennial, Colorado]] address.<ref name="RMN0826" /> Gartrell was using [[crutch]]es at the time of his arrest.<ref name="AP0828">{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Don |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-08-28-52330391_x.htm |title=Man accused in Obama threat uses crutches in court |work=[[Associated Press]] |date=2008-08-28 |accessdate=2008-08-28}}</ref>
-{{Quote box
- | quote  = "He don't belong in political office. Blacks don't belong in political office. He ought to be shot."
- | source = '''Nathan Johnson'''<ref name="AP0826" />
- | width = 160px
- | align = left
-}}Gartrell told an agent with the [[Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives]] that the weapons belonged to his cousin Adolf,<ref name="DP0829" /> and he led police to Adolf and Johnson at their hotels. Johnson was arrested at the Hyatt Regency Tech Center,<ref name="RMN0903" /> at about 4:30 a.m. Adolf was arrested at the Cherry Creek Hotel in [[Glendale, Colorado|Glendale]] at about 5 a.m. Adolf jumped out of a sixth-story hotel window when police arrived; he fell four stories onto the second-floor roof of the hotel kitchen, then jumped again onto the ground around the hotel. He broke his ankle in the fall, but tried to run before police found him a short distance away. Adolf, who was hospitalized shortly after his arrest,<ref name="RMN0826" /> was wearing body armor when police apprehended him. He told police this was because "someone wanted to shoot him".<ref name="NYDN0827" /> Like Gartrell, Johnson and Adolf were found to be high on methamphetamine during their arrests. During interviews with police, both men made racist statements similar to those allegedly made in their earlier hotel room discussions.<ref name="AP0826" />
-===Johnson implicates Adolf===
-Johnson told the [[United States Secret Service]] he rented the Hyatt hotel room at Adolf's request and that he believed "without a doubt"<ref name="RMN0903" /> that Adolf came to Denver to kill Obama; according to a police affidavit, "Johnson said the only reason for such killing would be because Obama is black."<ref name="RMN0903" /> During an August 25 interview with [[KCNC-TV]], a [[CBS]] owned-and-operated television station in Denver, Johnson first denied being personally involved with the plot and, when asked whether he felt the men had serious plans to go through with the assassination, he said, "Looking back at it, I don't want to say yes, but I don't want to say no."<ref name="AP0826" /><ref name="NYP0826" /><ref name="CBS0826" /> Eventually, however, he admitted the other two men had planned a killing when he said, "Yeah, they were here to do that, to assassinate him... it's about as hard for me to swallow as it is for you to understand."<ref name="DM0827" /> Johnson said the plan was for Adolf to, "shoot Obama from a high vantage point using a (rifle) sighted at 750 yards",<ref name="RMN0826" /><ref name="NYP0826" /> during his acceptance speech on August 28 at the [[2008 Democratic National Convention|Democratic National Convention]] in [[INVESCO Field at Mile High]]. Johnson told the station, "He don't belong in political office. Blacks don't belong in political office. He ought to be shot."<ref name="AP0826" /><ref name="NYP0826" /><ref name="CBS0826">{{Cite news |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/26/national/main4386352.shtml |title=FBI Downplays Credibility Of Obama Threat |work=[[CBS News]] |date=2008-08-26 |accessdate=2009-08-26}}</ref> Johnson said Adolf previously made comments about killing any African American who ran for president: "He made a comment in the past. I can't honestly tell you how long ago in the past, that he didn't believe a black should be the leader of this country."<ref name="DM0827" /> According to Johnson, Adolf said he was already wanted for other crimes, so it "wouldn't matter if he killed Obama".<ref name="NYDN0827" /> Johnson also claimed Adolf said he would never be taken alive and wanted to "go down in a blaze of glory".<ref name="NYDN0827" /> Law enforcement sources also told KCNC-TV that one of the suspects "was directly asked if they had come to Denver to kill Obama. He responded in the affirmative."<ref name="CBS0826" /> Johnson said Gartrell came to Denver to help Adolf execute the plan, and Gartrell later admitted to police that in talking about Obama, there was a reference to "shooting on a [[Dealey Plaza|grassy knoll]]," which referred to the [[John F. Kennedy assassination|assassination]] of President [[John F. Kennedy]].<ref name="LVS0827">{{Cite news |last=Manning |first=Mary |url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/aug/27/man-nevada-ties-charged-meth-possession-denver/ |title=Man with Nevada ties charged with meth possession in Denver |work=[[Las Vegas Sun]] |date=2008-08-27 |accessdate=2008-08-27}}</ref> An arrest warrant read, "Adolf said that he wanted to kill Obama and additionally stated that he would specifically use a [[sniper rifle]] and high powered scope, and find high ground to set up and shoot Obama."<ref name="DM0827" /> However, Johnson also told the reporter he came to the conclusion that there was assassination plot only after being questioned by the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] multiple times, adding, “I told them I had no idea there was a plot, a plan, a [[cabal|conspiracy]] or anything like that...When the feds came and laid out everything on the table and how it looked, I was in agreement that they could have been up here to do something like that."<ref name="CQP0905">{{Cite news |last=Stein |first=Jeff |url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=hsnews-000002944767 |title=The Obama assassination attempt that wasn't |work=[[Congressional Quarterly]] |date=2008-09-05 |accessdate=2008-09-07}}</ref> Johnson later rejected additional media interview requests.<ref name="AP0826" />
-===Assessment of threat===
-FBI [[Special Agent]] Robert Sawyer initially said there was probable cause to believe the trio were conspiring to kill Obama, based on searches of their hotel rooms and cars.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Larson |first1=Jace |last2=Vap |first2=Nicole |url=http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=98992&provider=top |title=New details about plot to kill Obama |work=[[KUSA-TV|9News]] |date=2008-09-03 |accessdate=2008-09-03}}</ref> However, [[United States Attorney]] [[Troy Eid]] said the racist statements the suspects made following their arrests had not risen to the legal standard that would have allowed the filing of federal charges for threatening a presidential candidate,<ref name="LAT0826" /><ref name="NYT0826" /> and prosecutors said they had insufficient evidence that they had the means to carry out a plot to kill Obama.<ref name="DP0829" /> Eid also said the searches of the suspects' rooms and computers turned up no evidence of a plot or conspiracy.<ref name="DP0902">{{Cite news |last=Cardona |first=Felisa |url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_10365463 |title=Local Obama plot case lures N.C. lawyer |work=[[The Denver Post]] |date=2008-09-02 |date=2008-09-03}}</ref> Eid and his aides said the decision not to press charges of threatening a presidential candidate was at least in part because they did not believe a jury would convict them based on the reliability of Johnson's testimony. Jeffrey Dorschner, Eid's spokesman, said a defense attorney “would tear him apart”.<ref name="CQP0905">{{Cite news |last=Stein |first=Jeff |url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=hsnews-000002944767 |title=The Obama assassination attempt that wasn't |work=[[Congressional Quarterly]] |date=2008-09-05 |accessdate=2008-09-07}}</ref> Although Eid would be accused of racism and political posturing for not seeking the charge, Eid said, "The 'political' thing to have done in this case, of course, would have been to charge all three defendants with making a threat against Obama and then quietly drop those charges later — expedient, [[Niccolò Machiavelli|Machiavellian]] and self-serving, but also illegal, unethical and immoral."<ref name="DP0912">{{Cite news |last=Eid |first=Troy |author-link=Troy Eid |url=http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_10441472 |title=Losing the truth in the depths of the Web |work=[[The Denver Post]] |date=2009-09-12 |accessdate=2008-09-16}}</ref>
-The Secret Service, ATF, FBI, a [[Joint Terrorism Task Force|U.S. Joint Terrorism Task Force]] and the U.S. Attorney's office investigated the plot.<ref name="RMN0826" /> Inconsistencies with the men's stories led investigators to downgrade the threat the men presented to Barack Obama.<ref name="LVS0827">{{Cite news |last=Manning |first=Mary |url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/aug/27/man-nevada-ties-charged-meth-possession-denver/ |title=Man with Nevada ties charged with meth possession in Denver |work=[[Las Vegas Sun]] |date=2008-08-27 |accessdate=2008-08-27}}</ref> During a press conference on August 26, federal authorities said Gartrell, Adolf and Johnson had possessed little, if any, chance of actually assassinating Obama. Eid described the alleged plot as "more aspirational, perhaps, than operational",<ref name="AP0826" /> and said, "We're absolutely confident that the meth heads were not a true threat to the candidate, the Democratic National Convention or the people of Colorado."<ref name="RMN0826" /><ref name="NYP0826" /> Officials did not believe the men had a clear path to hit the stage from outside the convention hall,<ref name="AP0826" /><ref name="NYT0826" /> and had little chance of getting to Obama outside the convention, especially since they were incorrect about which hotel Obama would be staying at.<ref name="LAT0826" /> One FBI official described the trio as "just a couple of rednecks thinking out loud what they'd like to do".<ref name="DM0827" /> FBI officials said no additional precautions were planned in response to the alleged plot because security had already been high due to the prospect of threats from extremist groups.<ref name="NYT0826" /> Secret Service protection for Obama began after the Senator received a death threat in 2007, marking the first time a candidate received such protection before being nominated. Obama and his campaign officials did not comment on the arrests, just as Obama had usually declined discussing death threats against him in the past since entering the presidential race.<ref name="NJ0827" />
-{{Quote box
- | quote  = "We're absolutely confident that the meth heads were not a true threat to the candidate, the Democratic National Convention or the people of Colorado."
- | source = '''[[U.S. Attorney]] [[Troy Eid]]'''<ref name="RMN0826" />
- | width = 200px
- | align = left
-}}
-Although officials downplayed the level of threat the trio presented to Obama, they said they planned further investigations into how a gang of supposedly small-time criminals collected such a massive arsenal.<ref name="LAT0826" /><ref name="NYP0826" /> Authorities believed the men had at least some [[white supremacy|white supremacist]] involvement,<ref name="AP0826" /><ref name="NYT0826" /><ref name="NYP0826" /> although experts at the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]], which tracks the [[far right|radical right]], said no evidence existed linking any of them to a white supremacist group.<ref name="NYT0826" /> Nevertheless, the possible connections prompted FBI officials, who originally considered the threat "relatively minor",<ref name="NYT0826" /> to develop stronger concerns about whether the motives from the three plotters could have been connected to a larger organization.<ref name="NYT0826" /> The FBI stated that with an African American candidate for President, "...you are certainly going to look at the general threat picture against any candidate and factor in the threats posed by those who preach hate and racism."<ref name="NYT0826" />
-Dr. William Boone, political science professor at [[Clark Atlanta University]], said drug influence should not have been cause for prosecutors to dismiss the threat, and that drugs have historically caused criminals to follow through with such crimes and schemes. Boone said, "The whole idea of just dismissing it as not credible is incredible. ... It’s surprising given the whole history of crime and drug use in the United States."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Muhammad |first=Charlene |url=http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/article_5194.shtml |title=Were Obama death threats real? |work=[[The Final Call]] |date=2008-09-14 |accessdate=2008-09-16}}</ref>
-===Histories of alleged plotters===
-After their arrest, law enforcement officials investigated whether Adolf, Gartrell and Johnson were linked to vandalism shootings that targeted at least two federal buildings in Denver two weeks prior to their arrest. Windows were shot at the [[U.S. Customhouse (Denver, Colorado)|U.S. Custom House]] and the [[Military of the United States|U.S. Military]] Entrance Processing Station in Denver's downtown Federal District. Authorities were also studying whether a bullet recovered from a Hertz rental car shot on August 15 could have matched the guns seized from the men.<ref name="AP0826" />
-Adolf, a [[Greeley, Colorado]] resident,<ref name="Greeley PD">{{Cite web |url=http://www.weldsheriff.com/Press%20Releases%202007/062007%20350%20K%20Stolen%20Property.pdf |title=Press Release: $350,000 in Stolen Property Recovered -Case WC07-2013 |publisher=[[Weld County, Colorado|Weld County]] [[Sheriffs in the United States|Sheriff's Office]] |date=2007-06-20 |accessdate=2008-08-28}}</ref> was the only one of the three alleged plotters with any previous history of violence.<ref name="NYT0826" /> Adolf was arrested on May 14, 1997, for his involvement in a theft of $350,000-worth of construction equipment, materials and vehicles in Greeley.<ref name="Greeley PD" /> He served prison time starting in 1997 on drug-related charges,<ref name="NYP0826" /> and faced two third-degree assault charges in 2001.<ref name="NYT0826" /> At the time of his arrest for the alleged assassination plot, he had eight warrants out for him for various crimes around Colorado,<ref name="NYP0826" /> including one for skipping out on a $1 million bond.<ref name="NYDN0827" /> He was on the most-wanted list of the [[Weld County, Colorado]] sheriff's department for [[burglary]], [[larceny]], aggravated [[motor vehicle theft]] and other prior charges.<ref name="AP0826" /> Adolf possessed a handcuff key on one hand and a [[swastika]] ring on the other when he was arrested for the alleged assassination plot.<ref name="AP0826" /> His criminal history also included forgery, drug and weapon charges.<ref name="NYP0826" /> Vicki Harbert, an investigator with the Weld County Sheriff's Department, had been pursuing Adolf since 2006 and feared he would eventually kill a police officer. She said of Adolf after his 2008 arrest, "I've been a cop for 18 years and he was not your typical bad guy."<ref name="NYDN0827" />
-Tharin Gartrell is a professional club-music disc jockey,<ref name="NYP0826" /> originally from [[Lincoln County, Nevada|Lincoln County]], [[Nevada]].<ref name="13AN0826">{{Cite news |url=http://www.ktnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8904452 |title=Investigation into possible assassination plot against Obama |work=[[KTNV|KTNV Channel 13]] [[Action News]] |date=2008-08-26 |accessdate=2008-08-29}}</ref> He lived in [[Pioche, Nevada]] until the 1990s,<ref name="LVS0827" /> when he moved to another rural Nevada town with his father,<ref name="AP0826" /> Carl "Flash" Gartrell,<ref name="13AN0826" /> a journeyman ranch hand and heavy equipment operator. Carl Gartrell has a history of multiple drug- and alcohol-related arrests and in August 2008 had a warrant out for his arrest in Lincoln County.<ref name="13AN0826" /> Tharin Gartrell, who had no known address at the time of his arrest, was run over by a truck as a child and, according to [[Lincoln County, Colorado]] Sheriff Kerry Lee, "It was absolutely amazing that he wasn't hurt badly."<ref name="AP0826" /> Gartrell experienced significant disciplinary action problems in high school and was told he would have to enroll in an [[alternative school]], but never did.<ref name="AP0826" /> Friends said Gartrell had been on probation for drugs and had been straight for several years, but fell off the wagon and started spending time with Adolf in mid-August 2008.<ref name="NYDN0827" /> Like Adolf, Gartrell and Johnson had a criminal history involving burglary, forgery, drug and weapon charges.<ref name="NYP0826" /> Tharin is registered with the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] in Colorado.<ref name="13AN0826" />
-===Comparison to other cases===
-The failure to prosecute the trio caused some speculation about a government cover-up, particularly revolving around Troy Eid, who was appointed U.S. Attorney by President [[George W. Bush]],<ref name="CQP0905" /> and has been accused of showing political biases.<ref name="KRWB0517">{{Cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Marisa |last2=Talev |first2=Margaret |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-163456768/2-additional-prosecutors-were.html |title=2 additional prosecutors were considered for ouster |work=[[Knight Ridder]] [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]] [[News bureau|Bureau]]'' |date=2007-05-16 |accessdate=2008-08-30}}</ref><ref name="BradBlog">{{Cite news |last=Friedman |first=Brad |author-link=Brad Friedman |url=http://www.bradblog.com/?p=6337 |title=Scant coverage of Obama assassination plot: irresponsible or cautious? |work=The Brad Blog |date=2008-08-29 |accessdate=2008-08-29}} [http://www.webcitation.org/5jZ04cLLV Archived] 2009-09-05.</ref> Many of those speculations cited Eid's previous charges against Marc Harold Ramsey for allegedly sending a threatening letter to 2008 Republican presidential nominee Senator [[John McCain]] from behind bars in the Arapahoe County Jail. Ramsey, who faced five years in federal prison and $250,000 in fines if convicted, sent McCain a package with a harmless white powdery substance and a letter that read, "Senator McCain, If you are reading this then you are already DEAD! Unless of course you can't or don't breathe."<ref name="BradBlog" /> Eid said the Ramsey case was "absolutely distinguishable"<ref name="DP0902" /> from that of Gartrell, Adolf and Johnson because there was no evidence of actual planning on the part of the trio.<ref name="DP0902" />
-In [[North Carolina]], Jerry Blanchard was indicted for threatening to kill Obama during a July 15, 2008 breakfast at a [[Waffle House]]. He allegedly called Obama the "[[Antichrist]]" at the breakfast, and made similar threats against Obama later at a hotel. Blanchard was placed in custody despite the fact that no evidence surfaced that he planned to go through with an assassination attempt. Later that same month in [[Florida]], Raymond H. Geisel was charged with making threatening statements against Obama during a bail-bonds training class on July 31. Geisel also threatened to put a bullet in the head of then-President Bush, although Geisel later claimed he was joking. He was found to be in possession of ammunition, body armor, a combat-style hatchet, tear gas, a loaded 9&nbsp;mm handgun and four loaded magazines. Geisel said he was a collector and was using the gun for his bail-bonds course. Geisel remained in custody for a month.<ref name="DP0902" />
-Eid said the Blanchard and Geisel situations were different from those of Gartrell, Adolf and Johnson because credible witnesses heard specific threats being made in both cases. Eid said Gartrell never made any threatening statements about killing Obama, and Johnson was under the influence when he accused Gartrell and Adolf and is not considered a credible witness. Blanchard's attorney, Lawrence Hewitt, said he planned to research the Colorado cases to see whether it would have any bearing on his client's case.<ref name="DP0902" /> In a letter responding to criticism about not pursuing federal charges against Gartrell, Adolf and Johnson, Eid wrote, “It would have been disgraceful for me or any other prosecutor to charge someone for a crime he didn’t commit. ... There was no probable cause to support such a charge. To the extent you challenge my motives or those of the many investigating agents and career prosecutors who all reached this conclusion in this matter, you’re mistaken.”<ref name="CQP0905" />
-===Media coverage===
-The Centre for Research on Globalisation, a [[Montreal]]-based website about social and economic issues, said the alleged assassination plot received "oddly...little coverage"<ref name="Globalisation">{{Cite web |last=Carmichael |first=Michael |url=http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=9958 |title=Possible Obama assassination plot gets little US coverage |url=http://globalresearch.ca |publisher=The Centre for Research on Globalisation |date=2008-08-26 |accessdate=2008-08-29}}</ref> in the [[Media of the United States|American mainstream media]] and said foreign news agencies in [[Russia]], [[Lebanon]] and [[Israel]] provided more detailed coverage. The Centre suggested a [[media blackout]] had been initiated against the story, although it did not specify whether the alleged blackout was implemented by the government or willingly by the press.<ref name="Globalisation" /> Robert Arend, a writer with [[OpEdNews]], said within two months of the alleged plot, media coverage of the trio had dropped so much, "those three creeps dropped into the bottomless pit of media obscurity".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Arend |first=Robert |url=http://www.opednews.com/articles/Conspiracies-To-Assassinat-by-Robert-Arend-081027-401.html |title=Conspiracies to assassinate Obama: Colorado vs Tennessee |work=[[OpEdNews]] |date=2008-10-27 |accessdate=2008-11-07}}</ref>
-The story was featured on page A18 of ''[[The New York Times]]'' and page A23 in ''[[The Washington Post]]'' on August 27, 2008. The alleged assassination plot was originally listed as the 15th story on the [[CNN]] website and was not posted on the [[MSNBC]] site at all. The story was also unreported by ''[[World News with Charles Gibson|ABC World News]]'', ''[[NBC Nightly News]]'', ''[[CBS Evening News]]'' and ''[[The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer|PBS NewsHour]]''. Journalist [[Brad Friedman]] pointed out that U.S. Attorney Troy Eid put far greater focus, "on this relatively little amount of meth and their use of it than on the other apparent highly incriminating pieces of evidence obtained".<ref name="BradBlog" /> Friedman criticized the media for not questioning Eid more sharply about the trio's large arsenal of weapons. Friedman also further criticized Eid as a "typical George W. Bush appointee - somewhat unprofessional, seemingly incompetent, stonewalling, less than brilliant."<ref name="BradBlog" />
-Eid said the story was blown out of proportion by the [[blogosphere]], and that legitimate newspapers reported on rumors and allegations in response to the blogs. Eid said he was "hounded" by countless bloggers about the story and accused of "racism and worse"<ref name="DP0912" /> for not charging the trio with threatening a presidential candidate. He said the situation was characteristic of the way the mainstream media was changing in response to the [[Internet age|Information Age]]: "Blog-driven 'news' is tragically becoming the rule, not the exception. Much of it is misinformation, where some person or interest group "spins" some angle for an unknown purpose. You can tell this when calls and e-mails start flooding the office, reading from the identical script, accusing you of the moral equivalent of crimes against humanity."<ref name="DP0912" />
-===Criminal charges===
-Shawn Adolf was held on $1 million bond for several outstanding warrants involving drug charges.<ref name="AP0826" /> He was initially charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of body armor by a violent felon and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. On November 6, 2009, Adolf pleaded guilty to the firearm possession charge, and the other two charges were dropped, resulting in a maximum federal prison term of 10 years.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cardona |first=Felisa |title=Guilty plea on firearms charge by man who allegedly threatened Obama during DNC |date=2009-11-07 |work=[[The Denver Post]] |url=http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_13733261 |accessdate=2009-12-03}}</ref>
-Nathan Johnson was charged with simple possession of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon,<ref name="AP0826" /> and received a $10,000 bond at a bond hearing.<ref name="AP0826" /><ref name="NYP0826" /> Some media outlets said the low bond amount indicated authorities did not believe he was capable of assassinating Obama.<ref name="NYP0826" /><ref name="CBS0826">{{Cite news |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/26/national/main4386352.shtml |title=FBI Downplays Credibility Of Obama Threat |work=[[CBS News]] |date=2008-08-26 |accessdate=2008-08-26}}</ref> On December 16, 2008, Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a weapon by a prohibited person.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A00E3DC103AF93BA25751C1A96E9C8B63|title=Colorado: Plea In Obama Threat Case |date=2008-12-18|work=The New York Times|publisher=Associated Press|accessdate=2009-09-19}}</ref> Johnson is now incarcerated in the Englewood Federal Correctional Institution and will be released on March 4, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bop.gov/iloc2/InmateFinderServlet?Transaction=IDSearch&needingMoreList=false&IDType=IRN&IDNumber=35882-013&x=92&y=20|title=Inmate Locator - Register # 35882-013|publisher=Federal Bureau of Prisons|accessdate=2009-09-17|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5k4HEuC8o|archivedate=2009-09-26|deadurl=no}}</ref>
-Tharin Gartrell was sentenced to 15 days in prison and six months in a [[halfway house]] for a charge of possessing [[methamphetamine]] on January 29, 2009. During his sentencing, District Judge Robert E. Blackburn said, "Frankly, Mr. Gartrell, it's time you grew up."<ref name="DP0130">{{Cite news |last=Cardona |first=Felisa |url=http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_11586042 |title=Obama-plot figure sentenced |work=[[The Denver Post]] |date=2009-01-30 |accessdate=2009-02-02}}</ref> Phil Ewing, Gartrell's best friend, said at the hearing that the entire case was a misunderstanding and said, "Now people are going to see him as a racist, and that is not him."<ref name="DP0130" /> Gartrell was released from federal custody on June 12, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bop.gov/iloc2/InmateFinderServlet?Transaction=NameSearch&needingMoreList=false&FirstName=tharin&Middle=&LastName=gartrell&Race=U&Sex=U&Age=&x=0&y=0|title=Inmate Locator - Register #35864-013|publisher=Federal Bureau of Prisons|accessdate=2009-09-17}}</ref>
-[[Image:Official portrait of Barack Obama.jpg|thumb|[[Barack Obama]], [[President of the United States]] and target of an alleged assassination plot during his candidacy.]]
-==Tennessee, 2008==
-The '''2008 Barack Obama assassination scare in Tennessee''' refers to an alleged plot by Paul Schlesselman and Daniel Cowart to [[Assassination|assassinate]] [[Barack Obama]], then 2008 [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] [[presidential nominee]]. The two men, both of whom held strong [[White supremacy|white supremacist]] beliefs, spoke of killing Obama during a planned murder spree of 88 [[African American]]s in [[Tennessee]], many of whom were to be young students at an unidentified, predominantly black school.
-Schlesselman and Cowart were arrested October 22 and found to be in possession of several weapons. The men told authorities of their planned assassination and killing spree, and said they intended to rob a gun store for additional weapons and perform home robberies to help fund the murders. Although the [[United States Secret Service]] said they were taking the plot seriously, authorities said they have not yet determined how capable the duo were of carrying out the alleged plot. Both plotters are currently on trial for charges of threatening to kill a presidential candidate, among other related charges.
-__TOC__
-===Investigation and arrests===
-Paul Schlesselman, 18, of [[Helena-West Helena, Arkansas|West Helena]], [[Arkansas]], and Daniel Cowart, 20, of [[Bells, Tennessee|Bells]], [[Tennessee]], allegedly plotted to assassinate [[Barack Obama]] during his [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008 presidential campaign]].<ref name="AP1027">{{citation |last=Jordan |first=Lara Jakes |title=Feds disrupt skinhead plot to assassinate Obama |newspaper=[[Associated Press]] |date=2008-10-27 |url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jsCEnrVzDQoU5tg63njLNy0UTDNAD9435AK80 |accessdate=2008-10-28}}</ref> Both [[white power skinhead]]s, Schlesselman and Cowart were introduced to each other via the [[Internet]] in September 2008 by a mutual friend who shared their [[White supremacy|white supremacist]] beliefs.<ref name="AP1030">{{Citation |last1=Baird |first1=Woody |last2=DeMillo |first2=Andrew |title=Authorities say skinhead plot wasn't fully formed |newspaper=[[Associated Press]] |date=2008-10-30 |url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jsCEnrVzDQoU5tg63njLNy0UTDNAD943S3HO0 |accessdate=2008-11-04}}</ref> Within a month they began planning to kill Obama by driving their vehicle toward him as fast as they could and shooting at him from the windows. The murder was planned as the final act of violence of a killing spree in which the duo planned to kill 88 [[African American]]s by gunfire, mostly children at an unidentified, predominantly [[Black people|black]] school.<ref name="ABC1027" /><ref name="NYT1027" /> They also planned to behead [[14 (number)#Neo-Nazi symbol|14]] of the [[88 (number)#As a Neo-Nazi symbol|88]] victims. The numbers were chosen for their special significance in the white power movement,<ref name="ABC1027">{{Citation |last=Date |first=Jack |url=http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/Vote2008/story?id=6122962&page=1 |title=Feds thwart alleged Obama assassination plot. |newspaper=[[ABC News]] |date=2008-10-27| accessdate=2008-10-28}}</ref> ''88'' means "[[Hitler salute|Heil Hitler]]", since H is the eighth letter in the alphabet, and 14 represents the [[Fourteen Words|14-word white supremacist mantra]], "We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children."<ref>{{Citation |last=Haberman |first=Maggie |title=ATF stops plot to kill Barack Obama |date=2008-10-27 |newspaper=[[New York Post]] |url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/10272008/news/nationalnews/the_plot_to_kill_obama_135558.htm |accessdate=2009-03-08}}</ref>
-Schlesselman and Cowart chatted on the Internet about how to carry out the spree. Schlesselman suggested using a [[sawed-off shotgun]] because it would be easy to maneuver; he also said he planned to steal a gun from his father.<ref name="AP1030" /> Prior to their arrest, the men decorated their car with a [[Swastika]] and drew the numbers 88 and 14 on their hood using window chalk.<ref name="ABC1027" /> Authorities believe the duo may have planned to move from state to state to choose their victims. They also planned to wear white [[Black tie|tuxedos]] and [[top hat]]s during the assassination attempt.<ref name="AP1027" />
-[[Image:Paul Schlesselman and Daniel Cowart.jpg|left|thumb|200 px|The alleged assassination plotters, Paul Schlesselman (left) and Daniel Cowart]]
-On October 22, Schlesselman and Cowart shot at a [[Stained glass|glass window]] on the front door of the Beech Grove Church of Christ in [[Brownsville, Tennessee]], which has a congregation of about 60 African Americans. Nobody was present at the church when the shot was fired; the bullet and shattered glass were found when church members arrived for [[Bible study (Christian)|Bible study]] later in the evening. Church officials said it was the first such attack against the church in its 120-year history.<ref name="AP1027" /> The two men bragged to a female friend about the shooting; the friend told her mother, who notified the [[Haywood County, Tennessee|Haywood County]] [[Sheriffs in the United States#Tennessee|Sheriff's Department]]. Investigators traced the shell casings to Schlesselman and Cowart, and notified the [[Crockett County, Tennessee|Crockett County]] Sheriff's Department, who took the pair into custody after spotting the Swastikas, slurs and 88 and 14 numbers on their car.<ref name="AP1030" /><ref name="ABC1027" />
-Police seized a [[rifle]], a sawed-off shotgun and three [[Handgun|pistols]] from the men at the time of the arrest. They were detained in Bells for a few days before being moved to another facility.<ref name="AP1027" /> During interrogation, the duo told authorities of their plan to kill Obama.<ref name="NYT1027">{{Citation |last=Lichtblau |first=Eric |author-link=Eric Lichtblau |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/28/us/politics/28plot.html?scp=1&sq=Daniel%20Cowart&st=cse |title=Arrests in plan to kill Obama and black schoolchildren |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=2008-10-27 |accessdate=2008-10-28}}</ref> The [[United States Secret Service]] became involved in the investigation once the supposed [[assassination]] plot was discovered.<ref name="AP1027" /> Both men were charged with illegal possession of a sawed-off shotgun, conspiracy to rob a firearms dealer and making threats against a presidential candidate; additional charges were to be filed later pending an active investigation. Authorities have found no evidence that anyone besides the two men were involved in the plot, but authorities are still investigating the possibility.<ref name="NYT1027" />
-{{wikinewspar|Two men arrested in Tennessee for plot to kill Obama and school children}}
-Both Schlesselman and Cowart acknowledged that they would be killed as a result of the murders and insisted they were willing to die.<ref name="AP1027" /> Authorities said the pair planned to break into a gun shop to steal more weapons for their attack, and also bought nylon [[rope]] and [[Balaclava (clothing)|ski masks]] at [[Wal-Mart]] to use in a [[robbery]] or [[home invasion]] to fund the spree.<ref name="AP1027" /> The duo asked a friend to drive them to a house they planned to rob, but they cancelled the robbery after getting scared by a dog and two vehicles in the driveway.<ref name="AP1030" />
-===Assessment of threat===
-Secret Service and other authorities said they were treating the plot very seriously, but acknowledged it did not appear to have moved to an advanced stage.<ref name="NYT1027" /> Authorities said there did not appear to be any formal assassination plan and said they were unable to assess how capable the duo was of carrying out the attack.<ref name="AP1027" /> Federal authorities told the [[Associated Press]] they did not believe Schlesselman and Cowart had the means to carry out their threat.<ref name="AP1030" /> Barack Obama did not have any campaign appearances planned for Tennessee.<ref name="NYT1027" /> One federal law enforcement official told the AP that  plans did not include Obama's schedule or a specific time and place for the assassination because, "I don't think they had that level of detail."<ref name="AP1030" /> Authorities said they made several mistakes during their planning, including drawing too much attention to themselves with their car markings. Authorities also felt the duo's failure to carry out a home robbery together indicated they would be unable to assassinate Obama.<ref name="AP1030" /> When asked whether the alleged threats were real, Daniel Cowart's lawyer, Joe H. Byrd, told reporters, "White top hats and tuxedos? You tell me."<ref name="AP1106">{{Citation |last=Baird |first=Woody |url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jsCEnrVzDQoU5tg63njLNy0UTDNAD949NSQ00 |title=Skinheads plead not guilty in alleged Obama plot. |newspaper=[[Associated Press]]'' |date=2009-11-06 |accessdate=2008-11-07}}</ref>
-{{Quote box
- | quote  = "They sound crazy, like a really bad movie -- Quentin Tarantino gone awry. You listen to that, and you say, 'In a hundred thousand years, they never would have reached Obama.' But the reality is, they might have walked into a black high school and killed 20, 30, 40 people before anybody knew who they were."
- | source = '''Mark Potok, director of the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]]'''<ref name="WP0111">{{Citation |last=Johnson |first=Carrie |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/10/AR2009011002039_2.html?hpid=moreheadlines |title=Bad Economy May Fuel Hate Groups, Experts Warn |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=2009-01-11 |accessdate=2009-01-11}}</ref>
- | width = 195px
- | align = left
-}}
-Fred Fielder, police chief in Helena-West Helena, said the alleged plot in Tennessee particularly concerned him due to the fact that 66 percent of the city's 12,200 population are African American; he said to reporters, "Predominantly black school, take your pick."<ref name="AP1027" /> Mark Potok, director of the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]], described the plans and weapons arsenal as frightening, but said, "With the part about wearing top hats...it gets a bit hard to take them seriously."<ref name="AP1030" /> Nevertheless, Potok said "the reality is, they might have walked into a black high school and killed 20, 30, 40 people before anybody knew who they were."<ref name="WP0111" /> An editorial in ''[[The Daily News Journal]]'' in [[Murfreesboro, Tennessee]], said the plot emphasized a dark undercurrent of racism still alive in the United States, but said their chances  of actually killing Obama were "almost nil. Their plot was so disorganized they appear to be candidates for 'dumb criminals,' not calculating assassins."<ref>[http://www.dnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081030/OPINION01/810300305 "Editorial: Foiled plot revives pain of racism."] ''[[The Daily News Journal]]'', October 30, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-11-07.</ref>
-Despite initial concerns about the plot, the Barack Obama campaign was not notified of the alleged plot; an Obama aide told [[ABC News]], "They were given no heads up."<ref>{{Citation |last= Stephanopoulos |first=George |author-link=George Stephanopoulos |url=http://blogs.abcnews.com/george/2008/10/obama-agents-no.html |title=Obama not told about alleged assassination plot. |newspaper=[[ABC News]] |date=2008-10-27 |accessdate=2008-10-28}}</ref> Concerns were already strong about possible plots against Obama due to his status as the first African American presidential nominee for a major political party. The senator had been receiving Secret Service protection since May 2007, which was the earliest for any candidate, and authorities had already foiled an [[2008 Barack Obama assassination scare in Denver|alleged assassination plot]] at the [[2008 Democratic National Convention]] in [[Denver]], [[Colorado]].<ref name="NYT1027" />
-===Histories of alleged plotters===
-====Paul Schlesselman====
-Paul Schlesselman is of [[Germany|German]] descent and was a high school dropout raised by a single father in Helena-West Helena, Arkansas. He hated his small [[Arkansas Delta|Delta]] region hometown because of its predominantly black population. He had never had any problems with the law prior to the alleged Obama plot. Schlesselman was regularly unsuccessful at finding work, was often short of money, and spent most of his time using his computer.{{Citation needed|date=September 2009}} He also had a strong affinity for drinking and smoking.<ref name="ArkDemGaz1029">{{Citation |last=Krupa |first=John |url=http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/241886/ |title=Teen in plot lists drinking as his job. |newspaper=[[Arkansas Democrat-Gazette]] |date=2008-10-29 |accessdate=2008-11-07}}</ref>
-Schlesselman publicly claimed white people were the [[master race]] and would often say "Sieg Heil" and "Heil Hitler."<ref name="AP1030" /> He also spoke out against Barack Obama, saying things like, "Obama would make the world suffer."<ref name="AP1030" /> His sister Kayla, who is two years younger than Paul, often argued with him about his racial beliefs. A few days before his arrest, a neighbor said he heard semiautomatic gunfire coming from an open field behind Schlesselman's house.<ref name="ArkDemGaz1029" /> After his arrest, Schlesselman's family expressed doubt that he seriously intended to carry out the plot; his father, Mike, said, "I think it's just a lot of talk. He would never do something like this."<ref name="AP1030" /> Kayla said she spoke with his brother after the charges were made public, and that Paul "said he's sorry about everything he's done."<ref name="AP1030" />
-====Daniel Cowart====
-Daniel Cowart is of [[England|English]] descent and was raised in Bells, [[Tennessee]], where he was also often preoccupied with computers. He never had any problems with the law prior to his arrest with Schlesselman. Cowart attended [[List of high schools in Tennessee#Crockett County|Crockett County High School]] until 2006, but did not graduate. Cowart applied for [[Jackson State Community College]] to study computers but, although his family believed he was indeed attending the school, he never provided documentation or pursued other steps to enroll there. Cowart moved to [[Texas]] in the spring of 2007 to live with friends he met on the Internet, but he was unable to find work and returned to Bells after one month to live with his grandparents.<ref name="Jackson1029">{{Citation |last=Martin |first=Mariann |url=http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20081029/NEWS01/810290326&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL |title=Image of Daniel Cowart not familiar to those he knew in Bells |newspaper=[[The Jackson Sun]] |date=2008-10-29 |accessdate=2008-11-07}}</ref> Before his move to Texas, Cowart worked at a Bells grocery store called the Bells Market Place for one year until May 2007 before moving to Texas for a brief time. Cowart worked and got along with several minority co-workers, who later expressed shock at his eventual arrest. Mitchell Twitty, a black former co-worker, said of Cowart, "He treated me like we were best friends. I never, ever heard him make a racist remark."<ref name="Jackson1030">{{Citation |last=Martin |first=Mariann |url=http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20081030/NEWS01/810300306 |title=Minority coworkers say Cowart was always friendly, respectful. |newspaper=[[The Jackson Sun]] |date=2008-10-30 |accessdate=2008-11-07}}</ref> Twitty said Cowart tended to keep to himself and at times acted "maybe a little strange."<ref name="Jackson1030" /> Other co-workers described him as hard-working and friendly, but said he did not have many friends. One family friend thought he was intelligent and full of potential: "I always saw him as a doctor or lawyer, or even a senator. He even had the potential to become what Obama is, running for president."<ref name="Jackson1030" />
-According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Cowart belonged to Supreme White Alliance, an organization which overtly describes itself as racist on its website; Cowart could be seen in a photo on the group's website celebrating the birthday of [[Adolf Hitler]] with other [[white power skinhead]]s.<ref name="AP1030" /> On the group's social networking site, Cowart described himself as "easygoing and easy to get along with, as long as you are white!"<ref name="ArkDemGaz1029" /> Cowart was allegedly kicked out of the group sometime prior to his arrest. The club's president, Steve Edwards of [[Central City, Kentucky|Central City]], [[Kentucky]], resigned due to the negative press following Cowart's arrest. Although Edwards acknowledged Cowart's membership, he said the group had no part in the plan, and claimed that the media exaggerated Cowart's connection to the group.<ref name="AP1030" />
-===Trials===
-{{outofdate|section}}
-[[Image:Schlesselmancowarttrial.jpg|thumb|250 px|left|A court drawing of the first hearing and not guilty pleas of Paul Schlesselman (middle) and Daniel Cowart (right).]]
-A grand jury indicted Paul Schlesselman and Daniel Cowart on November 5 on federal charges of threatening to kill and inflict bodily harm upon a major presidential candidate, conspiracy, interstate unlawful transportation of an unregistered firearm, interstate transportation of a firearm with the intent to commit a felony, transporting a short-barreled shotgun across state lines without a license and unlawful possession of a short-barreled shotgun. Cowart was also charged with damaging religious property and use of a firearm during a crime of violence.<ref>{{Citation |last=Martin |first=Mariann |url=http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20081121/NEWS01/811210315 |title=2 men charged in Obama plot face additional counts |newspaper=[[The Jackson Sun]] |date=2008-11-21 |accessdate=2008-11-22}}</ref> On November 6, Schlesselman and Cowart plead not guilty before a federal magistrate in [[Memphis, Tennessee]]. The two were placed into federal custody without bail. The charges carry a maximum punishment of 50 years in prison and $540,000 in fines.<ref name="AP1106" /> A trial is expected to take place in [[Jackson, Tennessee]], the area where the alleged crimes occurred.<ref name="AP1113">{{Citation |last=Baird |first=Woody |url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jsCEnrVzDQoU5tg63njLNy0UTDNAD94EBD080 |title=Man charged in Obama plot says grand jury skewed |newspaper=[[Associated Press]] |date=2008-11-13 |accessdate=2008-11-14}}</ref>
-At the request of federal authorities, the duo were placed on lockdown in their [[Obion County, Tennessee]] jail cell for their own protection against the other inmates. The two men can leave their cell for only one hour to watch television or use the phone; authorities said they had caused no problems during their time in the jail.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jsCEnrVzDQoU5tg63njLNy0UTDNAD94BP9TG0 |title=2 accused of threatening Obama kept on lockdown |newspaper=[[Associated Press]] |date=2008-11-09 |accessdate=2008-11-10}}</ref> Cowart's lawyer argued in a November 13 petition that the grand jury was racially stacked against him because it included only two white members, while "21 were African-American or of another race or races."<ref name="AP1113" /> Cowart's attorney argued his indictment should be dismissed because jury could not "under the most modest constitutional scrutiny...be considered fair, impartial and unprejudiced."<ref name="AP1113" /> In February 2009, a federal judge granted Schlesselman and Cowart limited access to court records on the grand jury selection and gave them permission to question procedures for selecting jurors. However, the duo's defense teams were not allowed to challenge the resulting racial makeup of the actual jury.<ref>{{Citation |last=Chism |first=Michelle |url=http://www.todaysthv.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=79876&catid=2 |title=Arkansan Charged In Skinhead Plot Granted Access To Court Records |newsaper=[[KTHV]] |date=2009-02-09 |accessdate=2009-02-09}}</ref>
-{{Wikinews|Judge refuses to dismiss charge against Barack Obama assassination plotter}}Also in February 2009, Schlesselman's lawyer asked the court to dismiss statements he previously gave police and evidence that he contended was wrongfully seized during searches of his home and another residence.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.waaytv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9843627 |title=Man accused in Obama plot wants evidence tossed |newspaper=[[Associated Press]] |date=2009-02-14 |accessdate=2009-02-14}}</ref> A federal judge will determine that issue in April. Schlesselman's counsel also argued his assassination threat charges should be dropped because he said the alleged comments were made while in custody, so he could not have carried them out and they were not a "true threat." Judge [[J. Daniel Breen]] rejected that argument in March 2009.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Buser |first=Lawrence |title=Judge refuses to dismiss charge in Obama threat |date=2009-03-25 |work=[[The Commercial Appeal]] |location=[[Memphis, Tennessee]] |url=http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/mar/25/judge-refuses-dismiss-charge-obama-threat/ |accessdate=2009-03-27|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5gwsblGqA|archivedate=2009-05-21|deadurl=no}}</ref>
-==External links==
-*[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/5967942/Barack-Obama-faces-30-death-threats-a-day-stretching-US-Secret-Service.html Barack Obama Faces 30 Death Threats a day, Stretching US Secret Service] by Toby Harnden, ''Daily Telegraph'', August 3 2009
-==Notes and references==
-{{Reflist|2}}
-*http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Michelle-Obama-Death-Threat-Kristy-Lee-Roshia-Arrested-For-Alleged-Plot-To-Blow-Away-First-Lady/Article/200912415506804
-*http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8427512.stm
-*http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2009/12/22/woman_held_in_hawaii_after_michelle_obama_threat/
-*http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20091222_First_lady_threats_lead_to_arrest.html
-*http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g5IO15mYs9-Drhygaxle6eM94kKgD9COK9DG0
-{{Barack Obama}}
-{{DEFAULTSORT:2008 Barack Obama Assassination Scare In Denver}}
-[[Category:Assassination attempts]]
-[[Category:Barack Obama]]
-{{DEFAULTSORT:2008 Barack Obama Assassination Scare In Tennessee}}
-[[Category:Crime in Tennessee]]
-[[Category:Racially motivated violence against African Americans]]
-[[Category:2008 in American politics|Barack Obama assassination scare in Tennessee]]
-[[Category:White supremacy in the United States]]
-[[Category:Crime in Colorado]]
-[[Category:2008 in American politics|Barack Obama assassination scare in Denver]]