A man who tweeted that he would give $500 to anyone who would kill a federal immigration officer was acquitted in a case that centered on whether a threatening social media post is protected speech.
A federal jury at U.S. District Court in Boston cleared 35-year-old Brandon Ziobrowski, of New York City. He had faced up to five years in prison and a fine as high as $250,000 if convicted.
Ziobrowski lived in Cambridge, Massachusetts, at the time and was charged with using interstate and foreign commerce to transmit a threat.
Ziobrowski also allegedly tweeted he wanted to "slit" the late U.S. Sen. John McCain's throat.
His lawyer argued the comments were constitutionally protected free speech.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
