Coming to a Battlefield Near You: Defendant Calls for Mass Murder at University, Alabama Judge Gives Him Probation and Sends Him To Join Army

In Alabama, Circuit Judge Tracey McCooey was faced with a man, Zachary Lambert, 23, who posted messages about wanting to commit mass murder at Virginia Tech. McCooey decided that best place for him was not jail, but enlisting in the Army.

For the Army’s part, they do not want him . . . right now. They may take him after he has served probation for advocating mass murder.

The judge insists “Military is a good, good thing for you.” McCooey even offered to adjust the probation sentence if it is an obstacle in heading off to basic training
to learn how to use major ordinance.

Lambert was a student at Faulkner University in December when he posted the message on Facebook about trying to break the record of the Virginia Tech shooter, who killed 32 people.

McCooey also wants Lambert to talk to schoolchildren.

Putting aside the sentencing issues, I am a bit curious about the charge: a misdemeanor for harassing communications. It is a charge that obviously raises serious first amendment questions of what is considered a “harassing communication.”

Source: AfterDowningStreet

Jonathan Turley