KBlackRabbit
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More evidence of irresponsible sleuthing bringing death threats to the accused and lawsuits from the accused:
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Idaho murders: University professor sues TikTok cyber-sleuth who accused her of campus killings
History professor Rebecca Scofield sent two cease-and-desist letters to TikTok personality Ashely Guillard, but Guillard continued to make videos accusing Scofield of murder.www.foxnews.com
For better or for worse, I dont think lawsuits are likely to stop this type of behavior:
A. Sue'em attorneys know that suing those with little to lose not only does not pay, but as there is nothing to take, rarely changes the behavior of the target.
B. The Second Amendment is mighty and broadly interpreted. Slander against public persons requires that the defendant know that "X" is false (states of mind are almost impossible to prove).
Slander against private persons like the professor does not have that requirement. Even still, citizens can constitutionally voice their opinion about anything and anybody- and "opinion" is broadly defined.
Thus, " "X" did "C!" could be slander. But.... the equally irresponsible "My review of evidence "A" and "B" leads me to conclude that "X" did "C" could be protected because it is based on a stated personal opinion.
In short what is needed are not lawsuits, but more personal responsibility regarding one's free speech. Getting off my soap box..... .
I 100% support this lawsuit.
The defendant in this lawsuit stated, not as opinion but as fact - with ZERO evidence - that the plaintiff is guilty of mass murder and serious professional misconduct. The defendant has done this in dozens of videos that are getting hundreds of thousands of views. The plaintiff is not a public figure, has no connection to the Idaho murders, and is being stalked and harassed and feels threatened because of this. Cardi B, who is a public figure, won her defamation case against someone who falsely stated she committed far less serious behavior.
IMO someone who crosses the line this far deserves to get sued, whether they have the money to pay damages or not.
Idaho is a per se state.
Also, the second amendment is the right to bear arms, not free speech.
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