Court hears online free speech case

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Monday in Washington D.C. for the first examination of free speech rights and social media. The outcome of the groundbreaking case, Elonis v. U.S., could decide the limits of what you post online. The case began in Pennsylvania when Tara Elonis asked for a protective order from her soon-to-be ex-husband, Anthony. He posted messages on his Facebook page such as, "Fold up your protection from abuse order and put it in your pocket. Is it thick enough to stop a bullet?” At issue is whether he should be prosecuted for what he claims was an artistic, cathartic expression about his ex-wife. A Pennsylvania jury found Elonis guilty and sentenced him to 44 months in prison on the premise of how a reasonable person targeted in the posts would perceive them. Elonis' attorney says what should matter is intent, not how the person on the other end would perceive the post. The solicitor representing the government in the case disagrees, comparing Elonis' statements to a bomb threat.

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