"Bushart is a former cop who lost his post-retirement job after a seemingly vengeful sheriff jailed him for trolling a Charlie Kirk vigil post in a Facebook group. Upset that Kirk's death commanded more attention than other victims of gun violence, Bushart posted a string of memes, among which was an image of Trump with an actual quote saying "We have to get over it" about a 2024 school shooting."
"Perry County sheriff Nick Weems has since acknowledged that he "knew" that the meme referenced a prior school shooting. However, the entire time that Bushart was detained, Weems maintained that Bushart's post incited "mass hysteria" from parents concerned that he was threatening violence at a local high school. Painting Bushart as indifferent to the supposed hysteria, Weems justified his arrest, as well as the $2 million bond ensuring Bushart couldn't afford bail and remained behind bars."
Larry Bushart, a former police officer, was jailed for 37 days after reposting a Trump meme referencing a prior school shooting. Perry County sheriff Nick Weems allegedly characterized the post as inciting "mass hysteria" and obtained a $2 million bond to keep Bushart detained. Bushart lost a post-retirement job after the arrest and claims none of the Facebook commenters viewed the meme as a threat. A records request to the local school district returned no complaints, and police have not produced evidence of public alarm. The lawsuit alleges Weems used his office and Facebook promotion of a Charlie Kirk vigil to retaliate, violating Bushart's First Amendment rights.
Read at Ars Technica
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