⏱ 2 min read
A 73-year-old Minnesota man, Robert Ivers, has been found guilty of threatening to kill a federal judge and a witness in a case that highlights the dark reality of intimidation against the justice system. Ivers, from Wayzata, mailed a manifesto titled ‘How to Kill a Federal Judge’ to a Minneapolis law firm and the University of St. Thomas, containing graphic threats of violence against the judge, witness, and their families. The threats were made in retaliation for Ivers’ 2018 conviction for threatening to murder another federal judge. The verdict was delivered on August 7, 2026, after a multi-day trial in U.S. District Court.
The investigation was a joint effort by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshals Service, and local police departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Bradley M. Endicott and William C. Mattessich. The outcome of the trial sends a clear message that those who seek to intimidate judges and witnesses will be held accountable.
Ivers’ actions were a stark example of the lengths to which some individuals will go to retaliate against the justice system. The manifesto he mailed was a chilling expression of his intent to harm those involved in his previous trial. The guilty verdict is a testament to the strength of the justice system in the face of such intimidation.
The case was tried before U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier, who presided over the proceedings from August 4 to 7, 2026. The guilty verdict on all counts is a significant outcome, demonstrating the commitment of law enforcement and the justice system to protecting those who serve and participate in the administration of justice.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Violent Crime
- Defendant: Minnesota
- Location: MN
- Source: DOJ Press Release
