Judge tentatively acquits woman in MySpace case [Lori Drew]

Guardian ^ | 07/02/09 | Linda Deutsch

[freespirited]

A Los Angeles federal judge has tentatively thrown out the convictions of a Missouri mother for her role in a MySpace hoax directed at a 13-year-old neighbor girl who ended up committing suicide.

In his ruling Thursday, U.S. District Judge George Wu has acquitted Lori Drew of misdemeanor counts of accessing computers without authorization. Wu says his ruling will become final when he issues it in writing.

Drew was convicted in a trial, but the judge says that if she is to be found guilty of illegally accessing computers, anyone who has ever violated the social networking site's terms of service would be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Prosecutors had sought the maximum three-year prison sentence and a $300,000 fine.

[lilylangtree]

Ouch!

[Dr. Sivana]

It sounds like the proscutor chose the wrong charge, or there needs to be a new law passed.

[MIchaelTArchangel]

When did Missouri become a part of the Ninth Circuit? Something is wrong with this story.

[freespirited]

Dunno. Is MySpace in Kaleefornya?

[CT-Freeper]

I’m pretty sure they sued in CA because that’s where MySpace is HQ’d.

[a fool in paradise]

She was posing as a minor to chat with a child. The judge is apparently okay with that and throwing the case out.

[rightly_dividing]

An activist Federal judge strikes again, the woman was convicted, and he is going to throw it out. The woman should not walk free with the blood of a 13yr old on her hands.

[DemforBush]

I’m not entirely surprised, but this still stinks.

[Redleg Duke]

That is disgusting! That bitch should be doing hard time for child abuse!

[SeaHawkFan]

The woman is a slimeball, but what she did wasn’t a crime. The US Attorney had to create something from a statute that really didn’t apply.

Judge made the correct decision in this case.

[Age of Reason]

Did anyone make the kid read her messages?

Kids don’t belong on the internet, period.

[Age of Reason]

The woman is a slimeball, but what she did wasn’t a crime.

I agree.

[Age of Reason]

there needs to be a new law passed

One that makes it illegal for minors to access the web would be a good start.

[swain_forkbeard]

“...or there needs to be a new law passed.”

Yeah. Just what we need.

[Redleg Duke]

Okay, so if someone drives over your kid on the sidewalk, it is the kid's fault because he was somewhere where a car could hit him!

Sure. you make perfect sense!

[Dr. Sivana]

That's already in force in my household. When my six year old asked if she could have a cell phone when she's 18, I said yes. And I will hold her to it.

Even children who allowed to roam recklessly should have protection afforded them by the law, however.

[swain_forkbeard]

The blood is not on her hands. I know you think the woman’s criticism MADE the teen commit suicide. But that can’t be known.

[swain_forkbeard]

“She was posing as a minor to chat with a child. The judge is apparently okay with that...”

No evidence that this is true at all.

[Dr. Sivana]

Judge made the correct decision in this case.

I didn't challenge the judge's decision based on the law. There are laws against certain kinds of harassment. I would rather see something like this included than say, "hate crimes" legislation.