Subject: Case dismissed ... where's the coverage? From: kris@cris.com (Kristine Loosley (Concentric Research Corp.)) Date: Fri, 7 Jul 1995 14:47:32 -0400

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I just read in the July 10 edition of (of all places) People magazine that 
charges have been dropped against  the young man from the University of 
Michigan who was accused of harassing a woman by posting about his fantasies 
of her to a usenet group.

The ruling, according to the magazine, said that the piece he posted was 
nothing more than a piece of literature, and that, as such, it could not be 
considered a threat. (I'm paraphrasing something I read a couple of hours 
ago in a doctor's office -- blame my sinusitis for my haziness on details).

This group discussed the young man's arrest and what it means ... but I've 
seen nothing discussing the reversal.  As an Internet service provider, we 
here at Concentric are wondering what the long-term ramifications of the 
ruling (if any) might be.  Seems to me that the judge recognized that the 
Internet is a publishing vehicle, and he may even have gone so far as to say 
the First Amendment is alive and well on-line. (Didn't see the ruling -- 
would love to see it if anyone has it.)

This seems to be another case of the scandal making front page news while 
the dismissal is relegated to the back pages. And it's unfortunate.

Kristine

Kristine Loosley                                 email: kris@concentric.net
Public Relations Manager                http://www.cris.com/~kris
Concentric Research Corp.             voice: 517 895 0500


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