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Craigslist Poster Charged with Libel
Coloradan J.P. Weichel has been charged with libel for a 2007 Craigslist post in which he lambasted his ex-girlfriend, Silicon Alley Insider reports.
Weichel, obviously upset at the time, posted a diatribe on Craigslist's "Rants & Raves" section, accusing his ex-girlfriend of exchanging sex for legal services and implicitly stating that her abuse of their child warranted a call to child services. He told police that he was "just venting."
Unlike most states, Colorado treats libel as a criminal, rather than civil, matter, so, as a result, Weichel could serve as many as 18 months in prison.
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This case could be used to set a much-needed precedent in the arena of online badmouthing; while airing somebody's dirty laundry in a newspaper would undoubtedly be addressed quickly, the same activity online most often goes unpunished. Well, we need a legitimate precedent, anyway.
We should all know what Mama used to say, but apparently it needs repeating: If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. [From: Silicon Alley Insider]
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Comments
8
Subscribe to commentsAdrianDec 3rd 2008 9:30PM
I believe that so long as you are telling the truth, you have a first amendment right to freedom of speech. I had an ex-therapist that seduced me, outed me to the whole community. caused me to loose my whole family and have to move to a different part of the country. Her own children moved clear across the country to get away from her. She still practices and has a life coaching practice on the internet. I posted a website describing my abuse at the hands of this witch and she actually got a lawyer and forced me to take my web site down. She was reported to the New York State Licensing and the person doing the review happened to have been an ex-lover of hers (she has been around quite a bit) and he said that there was nothing they could do. The Blog was my right to tell my story.
TaylorDec 3rd 2008 11:08PM
The Colorado Law is Unconstitutional and will be struck down by the US Supreme Court. A person cannot go to jail where they are subjected to rape and murder for telling a mean lie about someone in an open forum. Think about how that will chill free speech??!! the remedy for defamation is to sue for damages. Colorado is clearly out to lunch when it comes to an understanding of the US Constitution.
onlookerDec 3rd 2008 11:25PM
if this was the case all politicians wud b in jail
onlookerDec 3rd 2008 11:24PM
If this was the case politicians would be in jail.
onlookerDec 3rd 2008 11:25PM
If this was the case, wouldn't most politicians be in jail?
Tracy K ManzoDec 4th 2008 4:21AM
My question is then if they can do this then why the hell can't these celbrities get help. These people go thru the garbage jump over fences which should be against the law no hands down Follow and and stalk them and there families. Can anyone answer that one for me.
MeDec 4th 2008 5:23AM
oops.I retract my earlier post.....don't want to get sued!
TomDec 4th 2008 6:06AM
Seems like this guy is getting Scr**ed! If what he did is so bad then maybe they should check out all the women that bash men on a regular basis on dontdatehimgirl.com. Every woman on that has posted on that web site should go to jail.