Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWoman convicted over false Facebook post -
A South Hutchinson woman who posted comments on Facebook falsely suggesting a Nickerson teacher was a child predator -- while the educator was actually providing foster care for the womans son -- was convicted Monday in an online harassment case that may be one of the first of its kind in the nation.
Court records show the teen was removed from Wadkinss home last year, after he was charged in juvenile court with one count of aggravated assault for threatening his step-father with a knife. The teen subsequently pleaded to a reduced charge of misdemeanor assault.
The teacher, after learning of the teens placement, offered to be a foster parent.
The charges accused Wadkins of posting a photo of the teacher March 22 on Facebook, along with the question TEACHER OR PREDATOR? on March 22. Wadkins then made a second Facebook post April 15, again with the teachers photo, stating I TAKE TEEN BOYS HOME WITH ME.
The charge required we show she knowingly subjected the victim to public hatred, said Reno County Assistant District Attorney Dan Gilligan. She claimed, though she didnt send it to a specific person, that she was just trying to communicate with friends, and that it was free speech.
The student testified he believed that the posting was vindictive because he was happy in the teachers home.
Court records show the teen was removed from Wadkinss home last year, after he was charged in juvenile court with one count of aggravated assault for threatening his step-father with a knife. The teen subsequently pleaded to a reduced charge of misdemeanor assault.
The teacher, after learning of the teens placement, offered to be a foster parent.
The charges accused Wadkins of posting a photo of the teacher March 22 on Facebook, along with the question TEACHER OR PREDATOR? on March 22. Wadkins then made a second Facebook post April 15, again with the teachers photo, stating I TAKE TEEN BOYS HOME WITH ME.
The charge required we show she knowingly subjected the victim to public hatred, said Reno County Assistant District Attorney Dan Gilligan. She claimed, though she didnt send it to a specific person, that she was just trying to communicate with friends, and that it was free speech.
The student testified he believed that the posting was vindictive because he was happy in the teachers home.
http://www.hutchnews.com/news/20171218/woman-convicted-over-false-facebook-post
ETA: It is a start.
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
4 replies, 1129 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (13)
ReplyReply to this post
4 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Woman convicted over false Facebook post - (Original Post)
DURHAM D
Dec 2017
OP
aikoaiko
(34,184 posts)1. This law will be interesting as it applied to new cases.
It sounds like Wadkins deserved the conviction, but there is something that is worrisome to me when I wonder how this will be applied by RW magistrates and judges.
Generic Other
(28,979 posts)2. Will we be prosecuted for posts about the Trump clan?
because they are the ones I speak badly of.
Tipperary
(6,930 posts)3. I would say it is just best to only make claims that can be verified.
No one should make untrue claims anyway, no matter how we feel about the person in question, right?
aikoaiko
(34,184 posts)4. That's what I worry about given the facts of this case.
I think of all the 'me too' stories that named names but without much corroborating evidence.
I think of what we called Roy Moore.
I think of what we called Trump.
Its not that much different from what the convicted woman said.
Perhaps there is more in the law that protects speech than I realize.