An Idaho pair faces numerous charges after allegedly distributing a manifesto urging the killing of judges, police officers, bankers, private individuals, and their families.
Jonathan and Jolene Harms, aged 43 and 39, are charged with over 100 counts for compiling a “kill list” with dozens of names, which was shared on social media and sent to some victims, as reported by the Idaho Statesman.
During a court session on Friday, Ada County Deputy Prosecutor Robert Bleazard mentioned that the manifesto instructs readers to “Go. Hunt. Kill.” and includes orders to burn the bodies afterward.
“The defendants have expressed deep religious conviction, which fuels much of their action,” he said.
Numerous victims are associated with the Table Rock Church, which is part of the Southern Baptist Convention and identifies as a reformed baptist church. This church had previously excommunicated the Harms couple.
In court, Bleazard noted that the couple believes they are witnesses from the Book of Revelations, with Jonathan Harms declaring himself as “the crown prince of heaven.”
A probable cause statement indicated that Jonathan Harms’ “escalating behavior” toward church members began in May and he was temporarily placed on a mental health hold, according to the statement.
Bleazard said that a current and former church leader obtained protection orders against the couple after their excommunication. Although they were barred from contacting those two people, Jonathan Harms sent them a copy of the 277-page manifesto on July 10.
“It stated you will confirm that this is a kill list,” Bleazard said.
On July 12, Harms was arrested on two stalking charges. Police found a “substantial amount” of ammunition in the Harms’s home, he said.
Then, Jolene Harms was arrested on harassment charges after she sent two messages ot a police officer’s wife telling her that if her husband didn’t talk with Jonathan Harms, their “whole family was going to die.”
“Seriously, I’m going to kill your children,” she texted, according to court records.
She pleaded guilty last month on the those charges and was sentenced to unsupervised probation for year.
Jonathan Harms has pleaded not guilty and remains behind bars awaiting a jury trial that is set for January.
But new charges were filed last week against both defendants — 60 counts each including stalking in the first degree and intimidating or influencing the attendance of a witness, all between July 13 andSept. 25, KTVB reported.
Prosecutors say that while Jonathan Harms was behind bars, the couple continued to discuss the manifesto.
Several more of the victims have since obtained protection orders.
The couple was ordered held on bails of $15 million each, with a next court date set for October 6.
[Feature image: Jolene and Jonathan Harms/Ada County Sheriff’s Office]
