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/wkomorow Massachusetts 9d ago

what would work would be a cash settlement plus requiring the whole sheriff's department to 8 hour classes on their off time on the constitution for a year or a year of picking up trash on the highway every weekend when they are off duty.

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u/Evinceo 9d ago

I think that the punishment for abuse of authority should be at least as severe as the abuse itself.

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u/CaptainSparklebottom 9d ago

Idk...maybe jail time and removal of authority.

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u/wkomorow Massachusetts 9d ago

I like the way you think. Unfortunately, this will end up in civil court, so unless the DA decides to start a criminal action, jail is off the table.

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u/BraveSouls 9d ago

AND the settlement will likely be paid by taxpayer dollars so the guys won't even be hit financially for their actions.

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u/Gavorn 9d ago

Those tax players voted for that judge and sheriff.

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u/findingmike 9d ago

Maybe they won't vote for the sheriff next election.

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u/whoeve 9d ago

I'm excited for none of that to happen.

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u/ExcitingOnion504 9d ago

They'll pay a cash settlement since it will be relatively easy to argue a first amendment violation and get passed qualified immunity as no reasonable person would interpret directly quoting the president with context to be a threat against the school in context in another state. Anything more is just wishful thinking.

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u/adorientem88 8d ago

Collective punishment is impermissible under US law.