Man arrested again in Murray threat

A Spokane man arrested outside a U.S. Senate candidates debate with a meat cleaver and other knives has been charged in federal court.

John Jay Sieler, 50, is accused of threatening to kill Sen. Patty Murray on Oct. 14 as he drove by her supporters waving a meat cleaver and shouting profanities.

Sieler was arrested outside KSPS studios, 3911 S. Regal St., where Murray and Republican candidate Dino Rossi debated that night. Police found other weapons in his car.

Sieler was initially given $500 bail at the Spokane County Jail for misdemeanor charges but was arrested again Wednesday evening on a federal warrant. He appeared in U.S. District Court on one count of threatening a federal official.

He was ordered to remain in jail until a bail hearing on Monday.

Meghann M. Cuniff