Man Found Guilty of Sending Professor Threatening Mail

A federal jury on Wednesday convicted William B. King, a well-known government gadfly, on a felony charge of sending threatening mail to a former Cal State Fullerton professor.

After a two-day trial in U.S. District Court, King was found guilty of sending threatening mail in July to former science professor James Hester. Jurors deliberated for 25 minutes before returning their verdict.

Deputy Federal Public Defender Leon L. Peterson said King admitted mailing three sticks of fake dynamite to Hester because he believed the man was having a relationship with his ex-wife. But Peterson said his client testified that he had no intention of threatening the man.

Assistant U.S. Atty. David R. Fields, however, said King had previously harassed the professor by sending threatening letters. Charges were not brought against King for those mailings.

King faces a maximum term of five years in prison when he is sentenced on April 22, according to Peterson.

King, who also is known as William Beckingham, is well-known in the county’s Hall of Administration for attending Board of Supervisors meetings, often in women’s dress, and haranguing the supervisors. He also has shown up at city council meetings throughout Orange and Los Angeles counties.

Last summer, he attended the O.J. Simpson murder trial dressed in women’s clothing and was ejected from the courtroom for talking loudly.

Peterson said Wednesday that his client will most likely appeal his conviction.