Facebook Posts Aren't Threats If Not Intended By Author, Supreme Court Rules

In a 7-2 ruling, the Supreme Court found that Facebook posts are not threats if the author does not intend them to be. The case concerned a post using graphically violent language and imagery concerning his wife, co-workers, a kindergarten class, and state and federal law enforcement but were interspersed with disclaimers the lyrics were "fictitious." The high court said the "mental state requirement is satisfied if the defendant transmits a communication for the purpose of issuing a threat or with knowledge that the communication will be viewed as a threat.