news-record.com

GREENSBORO A man accused of threatening to shoot City Council members over annexation expressed frustration with government during an interview, court documents show.

William Marshburn, 57, is accused of threatening to kill Greensboro City Council members last week to protest the upcoming annexation of his Long Valley Road home near Summerfield. He was arrested June 3 outside the council meeting after he started loudly cursing security officers when they searched him, police said.

He was charged with one count of disorderly conduct and nine counts of communicating threats, one for each council member.

Marshburn remains in the Guilford County jail on a $25,000 bond.

Court records indicate he suffers from a mental condition.

A search warrant unsealed this week in Guilford County Superior Court shows items seized last week included a double-barreled shotgun, a rifle, a machete, books and a "9/11 conspiracy pamphlet."

The warrant also reveals more details about the alleged threat made last week to a city engineering and inspections department employee.

Marshburn became very loud and belligerent with the city employee and stated, "Well, I guess I'll just come to the meeting tomorrow night and kill the Council members," according to an application for the search warrant filed in Guilford County Superior Court. When the employee asked him what he meant by that, Marshburn said, "If I kill them, they can't annex my land," according to the warrant application.

When told that bringing a firearm to a council meeting is illegal, Marshburn said, "Don't mock me, I'm serious. I will kill people," according to the warrant application.

Marshburn would neither confirm nor deny the threats made to council members, Detective R.C. Finch said in the warrant.

Finch said in an interview that after his arrest Marshburn expressed disdain for local government and said he felt the country was doomed. He discussed his anger and disgust with Congress and the presidential election, Finch said.

And Marshburn said "this country had a revolution once before, and that it might be time for another," Finch said.

Police described the confiscated books as "anti government."

"We felt like those materials he had were relevant to his case as far as him communicating threats toward council members," Lt. Brian James said.

The books included "The Third Terrorist," "How to Overthrow the Government," "Rules for Radicals" and "The Anti-Federalist Papers." They cover topics such as alleged Islamic involvement in the Oklahoma City bombings, the failure of the government to prevent further attacks and arguments written in the 1700s against ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Authorities felt the books would bolster their case and help assess any future threats, James said.

Marshburn's property is set to be annexed June 30.

Contact Jennifer Fernandez at 373-7064 or jennifer.fernandez@news-record.com