Justices consider defendant’s request to throw out his conviction because he says he meant no harm in deluging singer with Facebook messagesPhoto:WASHINGTON—Supreme Court justices on Wednesday questioned whether a Colorado stalking law violates the First Amendment because defendants can be convicted even if they didn’t intend to threaten victims with physical violence.
The case was a textbook example of cyberstalking. Billy Counterman became obsessed with a Denver singer-songwriter, Coles Whalen, and in 2014 began texting her through Facebook Messenger, under the delusion that they were in a romantic relationship. The hundreds of messages, which kept coming even after she blocked Mr. Counterman and obtained a restraining order against him, were terrifying and drove her from performing in public, Ms. Whalen said.
When only physical harm is considered We've already lost the battle. Terrorism comes in all forms.
If the person is that delusional, then there isn't really any mens rea no matter how scared the victim is. In this case, involuntary commitment might be appropriate. A lot of people also simply don't get hints the rest of us have no trouble understanding.
The very ACT of stalking might not be a physical harm (YET) but it’s impact is emotional and psychological in nature and therefore the victim suffers harm inflicted by the actions of the stalker. I hope a definitive legal resolution to this to ensure laws are enforced.
Do they not realize that cyber stalkers can destroy people's lives ? Push a teenager to suicide? Can someone get a teenager to explain things to them?! I understand it can be misused, anything can, but it's not different in principle from threats of physical violence.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:
Law Law Latest News, Law Law Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Supreme Court Hearing Colorado Social Media Stalking Case April 19Billy Raymond Counterman had been convicted of stalking musician Coles Whalen through online messages. But where they 'true threats'?
Source: denverwestword - 🏆 315. / 61 Read more »
Colorado free speech fight over legal definition of “true threat” goes before U.S. Supreme CourtA Colorado free speech case that went before the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday could shift the boundaries of what is considered protected by the First Amendment and what qualifies as an illegal threat across the country.
Source: denverpost - 🏆 13. / 72 Read more »
McConnell hammers Democrats for attacking Supreme Court justices: 'Going after the court'.LeaderMcConnell was asked about Justice Clarence Thomas’s relationship with a Republican donor. 'The Democrats, it seems to me, spend a lot of time criticizing individual members of the court and going after the court as an institution,' McConnell said. LeaderMcConnell Nominating Thomas was the greatest achievement of the HW Bush Administration. LeaderMcConnell This guys balls retract and descend like a turtles head. 🐢
Source: dcexaminer - 🏆 6. / 94 Read more »
Supreme Court to Consider Christian Delivery Man's Refusal to Work Sundays in Religious Freedom CaseThe Supreme Court this week is hearing the case of a religious mail carrier who refused to deliver Amazon packages on Sundays. That's a easy solution don't take the job. God certaintly understand he said if you need wisdom just ask for it. Many folks works in hospital , public safety believe in the Lord, wants to go to church on some weekends.
Source: NBCNewYork - 🏆 270. / 63 Read more »
Supreme Court to deliver answer in religious mailman's caseThe Supreme Court this week is hearing the case of a religious mail carrier who refused to deliver Amazon packages on Sundays. The court will consider Gerald Groff's case on Tuesday. Lower courts have sided with the Postal Service. It says Groff’s demand for Sundays off meant extra work for other employees and caused tension. Groff argues employers can too easily reject employees’ requests for religious accommodations. If he wins, that could change. The conservative-dominated Supreme Court has been particularly sympathetic to the concerns of religious plaintiffs in recent years. Capitalism will find someone who wants to work on Sunday. That’s how it works. Who pays for all these cases to make it to the supreme Court because it's certainly not this guy Don’t work for Amazon then
Source: AP - 🏆 728. / 51 Read more »
US Supreme Court rebuffs Novartis bid to revive MS drug Gilenya patentThe U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp's bid to revive a key patent on its blockbuster multiple sclerosis drug Gilenya that was invalidated amid a legal dispute with China's HEC Pharm Co Ltd .
Source: Reuters - 🏆 2. / 97 Read more »