Death threats against deputy prosecutor

By ROB PIERCY / KING 5 News

EVERETT, Wash. – An Everett man is accused of threatening to kill a Snohomish County deputy prosecutor. Investigators say 46-year-old Jim Swanson made the threats over the phone and via e-mail.

When Swanson was in the midst of a divorce, his estranged wife accused him of a sex crime. Deputy Prosecutor Laura Twitchell declined to charge Swanson.

That’s when Jim wanted prosecutors to turn the tables on his ex.

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"He wanted to have counter charges of slander, defamation of character,” said Jim’s bother, George.

When that didn’t happen, George says his brother went into a spiral of anger and depression. In late January, Jim called the prosecutor’s office and allegedly threatened Twitchell’s life. He followed up with an e-mail.

“I don't think he's, um, serious about any kind of threats. I think his threats were taken out of context, if they were threats at all,” said George.

In the e-mail sent to Twitchell March 14, Jim Swanson reportedly wrote, "Hunting season (is) coming up and what am I to do eh? You have all my firearm's (sic) well I have a remidie (sic) for that. Don't worry this won't last much longer."

Later, the e-mail allegedly says, "You can't touch me and I can't touch you. well that might not last much longer. Remember I'am (sic) Volitale (sic), Voilent (sic) and a Loose Cannon!"

The message ends with, "No I am cold and calculating."

If they weren’t listening before, they are now.

"I think it just shows the level of frustration people can have when justice seems to be lopsided,” said Swanson’s brother, George. He says all his brother wanted was for someone to listen.

"And he was, in his words, trying to get someone to hear him. Trying to get someone's attention,” said George.

Jim Swanson is charged with cyberstalking. He’s being held on $100,000 bail.

Snohomish County has handed prosecution of the case over to Skagit County to avoid any conflict of interest.