Free speech in danger. Does anybody know anything about this case?

[creativelcro]

In These Times

March 3, 2003

SECTION: THE FIRST STONE; Pg. 10

LENGTH: 1140 words

BYLINE: By Joel Bleifuss

BODY:

Incendiary Speech

Last December, Richard Humphreys of Portland, Oregon, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for threatening to harm or kill President Bush. A bartender in Watertown, South Dakota reported Humphreys to the police after he overheard him talking to a truck driver about a "burning Bush" and the possibility that someone might douse the president with flammable liquid and light it. In his defense, Humphreys testified: "I said, 'God might speak to the world through a burning Bush.' I had said that before, and I thought it was funny."

Same thing:
12/2002: Man jailed for Bush remark
By: Staff
Associated Press Date: 12/06/2002

Printer Friendly Version

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- A man who made a remark about a "burning Bush" during the president's March 2001 trip to Sioux Falls was sentenced Friday to 37 months in prison.
Richard Humphreys of Portland, Ore., was convicted in September of threatening to kill or harm the president and said he plans to appeal. He has said the comment was a prophecy protected under his right to free speech.

Humphreys said he got into a barroom discussion in nearby Watertown with a truck driver. A bartender who overheard the conversation realized the president was to visit Sioux Falls the next day and told police Humphreys talked about a "burning Bush" and the possibility of someone pouring a flammable liquid on Bush and lighting it.

"I said God might speak to the world through a burning Bush," Humphreys testified during his trial. "I had said that before and I thought it was funny."


Original Link: http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Law/2002/12/06/6691-ap.html


© Copyright 2002 Associated Press

[kiahzero]

1. I wasn't aware bad puns were a jailable offense

In all seriousness, this is horrible. I hope the ACLU is helping to challenge the decision.

[brainshrub]

2. Stupid comment

but not worth 3 years in jail! :O

[creativelcro]

3. I was hoping somebody from Portland might

know more about this... Did the guy really plot something ??? Thanks.