Inmate accused of threatening to kill Westmoreland judge who sent her to prison

A former Westmoreland County Prison inmate is accused of threatening to kill a judge in a handwritten letter, according to police.

Rebecca Elizabeth Gardner, 28, directed the threat at Westmoreland County Judge Christopher Feliciani, county detectives said in court papers filed Tuesday. Gardner wrote that she would use a knife to kill the judge and then use gasoline to start a fire at his home, police said.

The letter was reported to authorities May 15. Gardner signed the letter “Sincerely your killer” with her name, according to an affidavit.

In March, Feliciani sentenced her on two simple assault charges to two to four years in a state prison, where she is currently housed, according to court records. The judge ordered she have a mental health evaluation.

Feliciani recused himself from handling her cases any further May 17.

Gardner said she wrote the letter because she was concerned Feliciani would send her to Torrance State Hospital during her next court date June 27, police said.

Police charged her with retaliation against a judicial official and terroristic threats. A preliminary arraignment is set for June 11.

Renatta Signorini is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 724-837-5374, rsignorini@tribweb.com or via Twitter @byrenatta.