BAY CITY, Mich. (AP) - A judge has set Jan. 5 as the deadline for any plea bargain in the case of a 73-year-old man charged witt threatening a Michigan congressman. Federal Judge Thomas Ludington in Bay City did not rule Wednesday on Russell Hesch's request to get rid of his electronic tether. Defense lawyer Robert Dunn says that will come on Jan. 5. Hesch is charged with threatening U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak and his family over the Democrat's vote in favor of a health-care law. The West Branch man is accused of writing a letter that threatened to paint the Mackinac Bridge with Stupak's blood. Dunn says trial is likely unless the government offers a misdemeanor plea deal. Hesch says his ankle monitor is uncomfortable and faulty.
