William Kohles convicted of threatening former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot

William Kohles, a 44-year-old man from Grand Rapids, Michigan, was convicted of threatening former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, including a chilling message that stated he had 'a bullet with your name on it.' The threats, sent through a city feedback form in September 2022, were filled with racial slurs and misogynistic language, prompting Lightfoot to testify about the emotional distress caused to her and her family. Judge Nicholas Kantas ruled that Kohles' threats represented a serious danger and were not protected by free speech. Lightfoot expressed relief at the verdict but emphasized the broader issue of violence against public officials, asserting that such behavior threatens democracy. Kohles faces up to five years in prison for each of the two counts against him, with sentencing scheduled for next month. His defense argued the message was a spontaneous reaction to media coverage, but the court deemed his intent to threaten clear.