Threats to Kill, Legal?
 

This was prompted by the new public threats on Zimmerman's life. It appears to have broadened beyond just an official bounty from the New Black Panthers.

I don't want to limit the thread or question to Zimmerman - hence a new thread. I suppose I was under the impression that death threats were not protected speech and were actually a crime.

Right or wrong?

I know in domestic violence cases there is often a lot of hearsay to obtain restraining orders etc. But where a threat is published fact - I did not think that was even legal...

http://twitchy.com/2012/04/23/twitte...lets-kill-him/

Re: Threats to Kill, Legal?
 

My thoughts exactly. The facts of the case are fuzzy, and in dispute, and Zimmerman may (or may not) be a racist jerk, may even be guilty of murder, but it's not right to incite people to kill him on the streets.

Re: Threats to Kill, Legal?
 

Wow

Re: Threats to Kill, Legal?
 

Moral? Of course not. Legal? It depends.

Re: Threats to Kill, Legal?
 

LOL!

Well, I did not mean to ask whether it was moral with my "right or wrong".

Does it depend on who you are, what state you are in when make the threat or what?

Re: Threats to Kill, Legal?
 

Now the calls for murder are extended to judge. Surely this can't be legal!

But it's not just Zimmerman who is at risk. In fact, there's already been a call on Twitter for the murder of the judge, Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester, who agreed to release Zimmerman on bail.

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/...ge_640598.html

Re: Threats to Kill, Legal?
 

Good question. I wish Griffin would give more legal info here (since Baron has forsaken us). I would imagine that there might have to be a little more demonstrable intent than a tweet or post. Unfortunately, I read stuff like this quite a bit. I think this is potentially dangerous, though, in that so much is directed at one man.

Re: Threats to Kill, Legal?
 

If someone causally or even affectionately exclaims "I'll kill you for that!" I understand it's not likely illegal.

But if it includes intent to perform or even incite I would think that they should be investigated.

I know if I were Zim or the Judge, I would take it very seriously about now.

Re: Threats to Kill, Legal?
 

I think that is where it gets murky pretty quickly. I know they can't argue affection here, but I'm not sure that everybody who says what they would do if they saw someone is going to get charged for it.

Re: Threats to Kill, Legal?
 

Maybe it depends on who the threat is made against? If made against the president on twitter, I would expect the FBI at my door within 24 hrs... :nod