NORWICH – After a lengthy deliberation, Michael D. Richardson, 36, formerly of Bainbridge, was found guilty of making a terroristic threat – a class D felony – by a jury of his peers yesterday afternoon.

It was alleged that Richardson – in July of last year and with the intent to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; influence the policy of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion; or affect the conduct of a unit of government by murder, assassination or kidnapping – placed threatening remarks in two separate letters addressed to his estranged wife and mother-in-law conveying his intent to perform acts of violence directed at a number of individuals including a judge, who, though not specifically named, is alleged to be recently retired County Court Judge W. Howard Sullivan.

“The defendant was convicted of threatening to put a bullet in the head of a county judge,” said District Attorney Joseph A. McBride. “There can be no greater threat to a person. The jury did the right thing. He will be facing a sentence of up to seven years and because of his conduct I will be asking that he be kept away from society for as long as legally possible.”

During his appearance in court Tuesday, Richardson was seen frequently smiling and laughing loudly, bursting into a particularly boisterous series of guffaws during his estranged wife's testimony.