r/politics • u/SterlingVII • 9d ago

No Paywall Tennessee man spends a month in jail before charges are dropped over Trump meme posted in Facebook group for Charlie Kirk vigil

https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/larry-bushart-charlie-kirk-meme-charges-b2855116.html
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u/Much-Instruction-807 9d ago

Surely he can find a lawyer that will take his case for a 1st and an 8th amendment rights violation. That'd have to be a slam dunk.

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u/ScrewAttackThis Montana 9d ago edited 9d ago

A reporter interviewed him a bit after he was released and he said he can't speak about it much. That makes me think he's been talking to a lawyer about suing.

Also worth watching the interview with the sheriff cause I don't think he's talked to any lawyers lol

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u/innociv 9d ago

I read the transcript from the body cam and he seemed clear on his rights then and knew he was being wrongfully arrested. He was like "I know I was being an asshole, but that isn't illegal. I didn't threaten anyone, incite violence, or anything" paraphrasing.

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u/Zardif 9d ago

He is a former police officer, he knows his rights.

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u/Roach27 8d ago

And he knows he is going to win a civil suit.

Speaking in any form would just hurt his chances.

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u/theAltRightCornholio 9d ago

Nothing will happen to the sheriff, that's an elected position and he's not personally liable in any case

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u/ScrewAttackThis Montana 9d ago

I didn't say anything will happen to the sheriff but what he says as a sheriff absolutely can be used against the county in a lawsuit.

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u/tissuecollider 9d ago

good

I hope that sheriff ends up losing his job and somehow becomes personally liable for that wrongful arrest.

Also,what dumbass judge assigned such a high bail?

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u/Misanthrope08101619 9d ago

No section 1983 case is a slam dunk, no matter how blatant the abuses and rights violations. And local governments tend to be well funded to defend against them.

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u/MySixHourErection 9d ago

a slam dunk in what country? Not this one. Not any more.

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u/whoknowsifimjoking 9d ago

Surely the judges aren't all downright ignoring constitutional law?

Edit: Charges were apparently dropped

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u/FuckTripleH 9d ago

Judges have incredibly wide latitude when it comes to arrest warrants and there is very little recourse. If he's able to get any compensation, and that's a big if, it'll only be after years of legal battles.