Tennessee Man Jailed Over Facebook Meme Has Felony Charges Dropped
Larry Bushart Jr. was jailed in Tennessee for over a month after sharing a Facebook meme, facing a $2 million bond before felony charges were dropped.
Man Jailed for Facebook Meme Is Freed in Tennessee
The Intercept
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Overview
- Larry Bushart Jr. was arrested and jailed in Tennessee for sharing a Facebook meme, which authorities claimed created hysteria in the community.
- The meme in question reportedly referenced Charlie Kirk's assassination and was interpreted by some as threatening mass violence at a school.
- Bushart faced a $2 million bond, lost his job as a medical driver, and missed the birth of his granddaughter during his detention.
- He remained jailed for over a month following his arrest, drawing concern from free speech advocates and civil libertarians.
- Felony charges against Bushart were eventually dropped, leading to his release after the controversial arrest over the social media post.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by portraying Larry Bushart's arrest as an egregious example of government overreach and a violation of free speech. They consistently use evaluative language and emphasize evidence that undermines the sheriff's justifications, highlighting inconsistencies and a lack of genuine threat. The narrative champions free speech rights against perceived censorship and politically motivated actions.
"Bushart’s arrest came after he decided to troll a message thread about a Charlie Kirk vigil in a Facebook group called “What’s Happening in Perry County, TN.”"
ARS Technica"It's good news that Bushart is released, but that doesn't negate the time he spent in jail on a spurious charge—37 days, in total."
Reason"Bushart was released Wednesday after prosecutors sought to dismiss the charge."
Associated PressArticles (5)
FAQ
The Facebook meme referenced Charlie Kirk's assassination and was interpreted by some as threatening mass violence at a school.
Authorities considered the meme to have created hysteria and perceived threat of mass violence, leading them to set a high bond due to the seriousness of the alleged offense.
He was jailed for over a month, lost his job as a medical driver, and missed the birth of his granddaughter during his detention.
Free speech advocates and civil libertarians expressed concern over the arrest, highlighting issues of free expression and potential governmental overreach in response to social media posts.
The felony charges against Larry Bushart Jr. were dropped, leading to his release after over a month in jail.
History
- This story does not have any previous versions.