News

Actions

Boehner death threat suspect released to family

Posted at 5:27 PM, Nov 24, 2015
and last updated 2015-11-24 17:27:22-05

CINCINNATI -- A judge has ruled that a former Cincinnati-area bartender accused of threatening to kill then-Speaker of the House John Boehner is of low risk to the community and will be released to his family.

BACKGROUND: FBI accuses bartender of threatening to poison John Boehner

U.S. District Judge Timothy Black ruled Tuesday at a hearing on Michael Hoyt's mental stability.

"The legal issues are all completed," Hoyt's attorney, Marty Pinales said. "He is unconditionally released and will be home for Thanksgiving."

Authorities said Hoyt threatened to kill Boehner with a gun or by poisoning his drink. In July, Black ruled Hoyt was insane at the time of the offense, threatening to kill a U.S. official. He found him not guilty and ordered evaluation at a federal medical center.

RELATED: Inside the mind of John Boehner's bartender
MORE: How WCPO's Jason Law broke the Michael Hoyt, John Boehner story

"It's a very difficult one to prove, and it is not very common but it is one that, with the help with of good forensic psychiatry, can be looked at closely," Pinales said of the not-guilty ruling.

Hoyt appeared via video conference from a Butner, North Carolina, center Tuesday. Black said Hoyt will live initially with his father while receiving treatment and monitoring that he is taking his medication..

CLICK HERE TO READ THE RELEASE ORDER