Background: East Ridge City Hall in East Ridge, Tenn. where John Cris Helton formerly served as a judge (Google Maps). Inset: John Cris Helton (Panama City Beach Police Department).
A man who formerly served as a city judge in Tennessee was arrested in Florida after police said he sent his wife a text in which he threatened to kill her and her friend.
John Cris Helton, 63, was arrested on Sept. 28 in his hometown of Panama City Beach, Florida after being charged with making a written threat to kill or do bodily harm. According to a criminal complaint reviewed by Law&Crime, Helton allegedly sent a text to his wife and her friend at midnight the same day that included a photo of a “large black and silver kitchen knife.” Along with the photo was a message that read, “I take that back I will kill both of you first.”
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Police said in the complaint that Helton sent the message to a group text that included him, his wife, and her friend. Helton”s wife told police that she feared for her life and “did not want to be close” to her husband after she received the alleged threat.
The complaint did not include any context for why the message was sent or if the couple had a history of threats and violence. The full text allegedly sent by Helton read, “I take that back I will kill both of you first. Don’t forget she knows your worth.”
When police spoke to Helton, he answered questions after being read his rights. During the interview, Helton admitted to sending the photo and the message. Police noted in the complaint that the photo depicted the kitchen knife lying on Helton’s lap. When Helton was interviewed, he was wearing “the same color of pants and shirt” that he was wearing in the photo in question.
Helton was arrested on Sept. 28 and charged with sending a written threat to kill or do bodily harm. He was booked into jail on $50,000 bond, which he posted on Sept. 30. Helton was ordered not to contact his wife. His arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 3.
