TYRONE - A Tyrone man charged with threatening Gov. Ed Rendell told a state trooper that he would not harm the governor but wouldn't care if someone else does.

Vincent Lee Stone Jr., 53, of 762 Washington Ave. remains in Blair County Prison today, where he was taken Wednesday after Magisterial District Judge Fred Miller of Tyrone set bail at $100,000 cash.

State police at Hollidaysburg charged Stone with terroristic threats, harassment and ethnic intimidation. They opened an investigation after the governor's office reported receiving an e-mail from Stone Saturday night that contained direct and indirect threats toward the governor.

"Dear Big Ed. I pray every night that a Christian or Arab puts a bullet through your corrupt jewish (sic) skull," Stone wrote in the e-mail.

The rest of Stone's e-mail criticizes the governor amid ethnic comments and includes a warning: "Your smug demenor (sic) will not protect you, nor your smile," Stone wrote.

Stone was identified through his e-mail name and address.

In an affidavit of probable cause filed to support the charges, Trooper Craig Grassmyer reported interviewing Stone, who denied plans to carry through with his threats.

''I'm not going to harm the governor,'' Stone reportedly told Grassmyer. ''I don't care if someone else does or not.''

The trooper, in the affidavit, said Stone admitted to writing the e-mail.

''I've been expecting you,'' the trooper reported Stone saying. ''I did send an e-mail to the governor. I dislike him and the government that we have now both in Pennsylvania and the United States. ... I guess I'm on the radar screen now.''

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 946-7456.