WILLMAR -- A Willmar man who threatened to burn down West Central Steel in June was sentenced Monday after a motion for a new trial was denied by the judge.
The lawyer for Ronald Julian Fernelius, 59, requested a new trial Monday on the grounds that during the trial the jury was informed that arson was classified as a "violent crime." Fernelius, who is a former employee of West Central Steel, was convicted by jurors Oct. 11 on a felony count of terroristic threats along with two lesser charges, which stemmed from his arson threat.
"The facts don't justify a conviction for terroristic threats," said John Holbrook, Fernelius' lawyer. Judge Kathryn N. Smith denied the motion saying she believed she instructed the jury properly during the court proceedings.
Addressing Fernelius directly, Smith said the presumptive sentence by state guidelines was one year and one day in prison.
However, she allowed the sentence to be stayed for five years, sentencing him to 106 days in jail and fining him $1,500. Smith then credited Fernelius for the 106 days he already spent in jail.
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Smith also denied the state's request for additional psychological testing. She stipulated that if Fernelius' behavior became questionable, probation could request the additional testing later.
During the sentencing, Fernelius nodded his head as Smith explained the conditions. He thanked her near the end of the proceedings.
A request by the state for psychiatric evaluations was also denied June 27. Judge Michael J. Thompson said Fernelius understood the charges against him, was willing to cooperate with his attorney and was had not notified the court of any mental illnesses.
Fernelius was arrested after a series of threats were made against West Central Steel employees between May 31 and June 4. According to the criminal complaint, Fernelius began acting strange at work and allegedly made demands for a $25,000 payment and the firing of another employee. Fernelius was later fired from the business.
