Virginia Man Found Guilty of 18 Charges for Threatening Connecticut Judges Online

Jury convicts Paul Boyne of stalking and electronic stalking against three judges over their family court rulings.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 1:21am

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A Superior Court jury in New Haven, Connecticut has found 64-year-old Paul Boyne of Fairfax County, Virginia guilty of 18 charges related to threats he made online against three Connecticut judges. Boyne was convicted of 12 counts of first-degree felony stalking and six counts of electronic stalking for posts he made on a website he operated that included threats against the judges' lives and published their personal information.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing issue of online harassment and threats against public officials, particularly judges, over their rulings. The threats were found to be "true threats" not protected by the First Amendment, underscoring the legal boundaries around free speech when it comes to intimidating or endangering others.

The details

Evidence showed Boyne paid for, operated, and wrote blog posts on a website called "thefamilycourtcircus.com" that included threats against Judges Jane K. Grossman, Elizabeth J. Stewart, and former Judge Thomas G. Moukawsher. The posts published the judges' home addresses, photos, and descriptions of their homes, and referenced a "JEW-dicial" conspiracy in Connecticut's family courts. Prosecutors argued Boyne's statements amounted to "true threats" not protected by free speech.

  • On Tuesday, a Superior Court jury in New Haven found Boyne guilty of the 18 charges.
  • Boyne is scheduled to be sentenced on May 26.

The players

Paul Boyne

A 64-year-old man from Fairfax County, Virginia who was found guilty of 18 charges related to threatening Connecticut judges online.

Judge Jane K. Grossman

One of the Connecticut judges threatened by Boyne on his website.

Judge Elizabeth J. Stewart

One of the Connecticut judges threatened by Boyne on his website.

Judge Thomas G. Moukawsher

A former Connecticut Superior Court judge who was threatened by Boyne on his website.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Paul Boyne out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing issue of online harassment and threats against public officials, particularly judges, over their rulings. The threats were found to be "true threats" not protected by the First Amendment, underscoring the legal boundaries around free speech when it comes to intimidating or endangering others.