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Attorney: Man accused of threatening to kill Whitmer, Nessel has mental health issues

Detroit Free Press - 6/3/2020

Jun. 3--A man accused of making threats to kill Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel has history of mental health issues, his attorney said during a court hearing Wednesday morning.

The next court date for Robert Tesh, 33, of Detroit is a competency hearing scheduled July 29 in 36th District Court.

Tesh did not appear at the hearing.

His attorney, Jonathan Simon, appeared via a video connection and said when the warrant was entered, Tesh was a patient in the psychiatric section of a hospital. Simon said his client has a history of post-traumatic stress disorder from when he was an Army medic.

Simon asked that his client undergo a forensic evaluation to determine his mental competency, which was granted by Judge Kenyetta Stanford Jones.

Tesh faces a charge of false report or threat of terrorism. It's a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Prosecutors said police arrested Tesh at his home on April 14 after he allegedly made credible threats to kill Whitmer and Nessel through a social media messenger.

During Wednesday's brief hearing, Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Kyle Heika said Tesh stated in the communicated threat that he had his rifle ready and spoke of a black op.

The defendant had an airsoft rifle resembling a real rifle in his home, Heika said.

Michigan State Police recovered three firearms registered to Tesh in his father's home, he said.

In March, a state worker and daycare owner sought personal protection orders against Tesh, saying he had made death threats against them. One was granted, the other was not.

Tesh, a licensed real estate agent, posted bond and has a GPS tether with stay-at-home restrictions.

Contact Elisha Anderson: eanderson@freepress.com

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