NJ blogger pleads not guilty to threatening judges

CHICAGO — A blogger from New Jersey has pleaded not guilty to charges that accuse him of threatening the lives of three Chicago-based federal appeals judges.

Former Internet talk show host Hal Turner appeared briefly before U.S. Magistrate Judge Martin Ashman on Tuesday and entered his plea.

Turner is accused of telling visitors to his Web site that the three judges “deserve to be killed” for upholding Chicago’s ban on handguns.

U.S. District Judge Donald Walter has set Oct. 5 for the trial.