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Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
National
David G. Savage

Supreme Court may extend free speech rights to online stalkers

Coles Whalen Washington D.C. Colorado

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court heard a free speech case on Wednesday and sounded ready to make it much harder to prosecute alleged online stalkers who repeatedly send unwanted and harassing messages that leave the victim upset and frightened.

At issue is whether prosecutors must prove the online stalker intended to make true threats.

Coles Whalen, a Colorado musician, said she quit performing in public after receiving menacing messages over two years from a man she never met.

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