It is dicey constitutional business to criminalize words . The courts have done so only in exceptional circumstances, but on April 19, 2023, the Supreme Court will re-examine the constitutional boundaries for criminalizing words that terrorize. On that date, the Court will hear argument in Counterman v Colorado ; the case focuses on the true threats doctrine and the right of speakers to invoke First Amendment protection for speech that puts the target in fear of life or limb. Beginning in 2014, and over the next two years, Billy Raymond Counterman posted dozens of messages on the Facebook page of a local Colorado musician. The posts, sometimes accompanied by pictures, clearly indicate a man obsessed with his target: “Was that you in the white Jeep?” “I’ve had tapped phone lines before. What do you fear?” “I’m currently unsupervised. I know, it freaks me out too, but the possibilities are endless.” “How can I take your interest in me seriously if you keep going … [Read more...] about His Words Were So Terrifying the Supreme Court Got Involved
