Local man accused in federal case

FROM STAFF REPORTS

National media outlets recently reported that a Lucerne Valley man is accused of cyberstalking in a controversial federal case.

William Lawrence Cassidy was living in Lucerne Valley when he allegedly sent thousands of threatening messages to a Maryland woman via the website Twitter.

According to the FBI, Cassidy directed roughly 8,000 Twitter messages at Alyce Zeoli, a Buddhist leader also known as Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo, from December 2009 to January 2010.

One of the messages said: “Do the world a favor and go kill yourself. P.S. Have a nice day.” Another stated: “Ya like haiku? Here’s one for ya. Long limb, sharp saw, hard drop.”

The FBI filed a complaint against Cassidy on charges of online stalking, and he is now awaiting trial in Maryland.

The case has become national news because it could set legal precedents regarding the limits of free speech, the definition of online harassment and the credibility of a threat made from thousands of miles away.

New York Times technology reporter Somini Sengupta wrote about the case on Aug. 26, and MSNBC’s website referenced Sengupta’s report in its own story on Monday.

In the Times article, Sengupta poses the question: “Is posting a public message on Twitter akin to speaking from an old-fashioned soapbox, or can it also be regarded as a means of direct personal communication, like a letter or phone call?”

The defense has motioned to dismiss the case on the grounds that Twitter is a public forum where users should be allowed to speak freely, and that Cassidy’s messages can not be compared to private communication.

According to Sengupta’s story, Cassidy “has a record of assault, arson and domestic violence” and “was also convicted of carrying an unspecified ‘dangerous weapon’ onto a plane in 1993.”

Check The Leader for further updates on the case a they become available.