Charges Stand Against Man Who Allegedly Threatened Blogger

A man who allegedly threatened the author of the Neighbors of Easton blog was ordered to stand trial Thursday after the lengthy hearing before .

David Edwards, of the 800 block of Wolf Avenue in Easton's West Ward, continued to post comments of a threatening nature towards local blogger Noel Jones in February, despite being warned to have no contact with the author late last year, Lt. John Remaly testified.

Jones first contacted police in December of 2011 after becoming alarmed when Edwards, who also goes by the name “David Caines” while online, started making bizarre comments referencing weapons and violence to Jones on her blog.

Edwards, according to printouts of comments made on the Neighbors of Easton site, told Jones she “might be a target” and offered to give her “defense lessons” which would be free if she agreed to be photographed during weapons training sessions after politically disagreeing with her.

Edwards, using the Caines moniker, also allegedly posted, “I have not attacked you yet, but in time I must.”

Both Jones and Edwards' attorney Ronnie Creazzo said Edwards admits suffering from paranoia and “mental disability.”

In December, police went to Edwards and advised him to have no further contact with Jones or the Neighbors of Easton blog, Remaly testified.

But in early February, despite the warning and being blocked from posting comments directly on the site, Edwards began again threatening Jones by posting comments that were sent only to her, due to his status on the site, both Jones and Remaly testified.

Though the initial comments were not deemed prosecutable by the Northampton County District Attorney's office, in February, the comments took a decidedly darker turn, suggesting Edwards possibly planned to directly harm Jones.

Posting as Caines, Edwards allegedly stated that he'd like three weeks alone with Jones and a paring knife. Edwards/Caines also allegedly referenced doing battle with police over the matter, posting, “If a few cops get taken down...”

Creazzo offered for the defense that his client was exercising his First Amendment rights and was only speaking metaphorically.

“Since this is all politically motivated, it should not have caused Ms. Jones any fear,” Creazzo argued.

Assistant District Attorney Robert Eyer disagreed, saying the charges were appropriate given the content of the comments.

“(They) placed her in fear of bodily injury and caused her emotional distress,” Eyer told Elwell.

Elwell agreed and ordered all charges held for trial, setting June 21 as the date for Edwards to be formally arraigned.

Edwards is required to remain under pretrial supervision until the case is decided. Posting 10 percent of $10,000 bail after being arrested on February 14, the court required that he have no contact with Jones or the Neighbors of Easton blog and refrain from all computer use.

He was additionally required in February to relinquish all weapons in his possession, including knives, swords and crossbows, after YouTube videos of him demonstrating the use of such weapons came to the court's attention.