Heard of Justin Carter? (See, e.g., http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/03/tech/social-media/facebook-teen-jail) Apparently, he made a stupid sarcastic comment attempting to joke about shooting up some kids and eating their hearts. It isn’t a real threat against any identifiable person–it even contained an “lol j/k” disclaimer. Yet, the constitutional schoars at the Comal County TX District Attorney’s office (http://www.co.comal.tx.us/cda/index.htm) have kept him in jail for four months, with bail at $500,000.
Kudos to his attorney, though, for taking this case pro bono. I can understand the police investigating, but that should have been the end of it. No charges; no prosecution. Don’t they realize they are practically setting themselves up for a huge civil suit? (While they might enjoy individual immunity, the taxpayers who will have to cough up the judgment proceeds should kick out the DA).
If you care about free speech, you need to care about those whose speech offends you most.
