Why must you do this so close to my home?
Ruling in Twitter harassment trial could have enormous fallout for free speech
What’s believed to be the first case in Canada of alleged criminal harassment-via-Twitter is just a judge’s decision away from being over.
After hearing closing submissions Tuesday from Chris Murphy, who represents 54-year-old Greg Elliott, Ontario Court Judge Brent Knazan is expected to rule on Oct. 6.
In the balance rides enormous potential fallout for free speech online.
Elliott is charged with criminally harassing two Toronto female political activists, Steph Guthrie and Heather Reilly, in 2012.
Allegations involving a third woman were dropped.
The graphic artist and father of four lost his job shortly after his arrest, which was well-publicized online, and if convicted, could go to jail for six months.
These are astonishing repercussions given that it’s not alleged he ever threatened either woman (or any other, according to the testimony of the Toronto Police officer, Detective Jeff Bangild, who was in charge) or that he ever sexually harassed them.
Indeed, Elliott’s chief sin appears to have been that he dared to disagree with the two young feminists and political activists.
So now, in Canada,refusing to stop mocking and/or quoting someone on social media is a criminal offense.
Who wants to bet that Mark Steyn will never be allowed to bring charges against someone for doing this?