September 14th: RI District Court to Rule on Cyber-Stalking

Judge Stephen M. Isherwood will rule September 14th on whether an official with the state teacher’s union is guilty of cyber-stalking a Bristol state representative.

Cyber-stalking is the use of the Internet or other electronic means to stalk or harass an individual, a group of individuals, or an organization. It may include false accusations, monitoring, making threats, identity theft, and damage to data or equipment, the solicitation of minors for sex, or gathering information in order to harass. Cyber-stalking laws vary depending on the state or federal jurisdiction.

At issue in this case is whether John A. Leidecker engaged in cyber harassment against former State Rep. Douglas W. Gablinske, or whether Leidecker’s email speech was protected by the First Amendment.

 

Read the full article, written September 1, 2011, by Michael P. McKinney of the Providence Journal:

Judge to Rule on Cyber-Stalking