I disagree with your definition of stalking. A mountain lion "stalks"
its prey, with the full intent of not meeting it until it pounces.
Stalkers of the human variety often act in the same manner, gleaning
information about routes, and habits in order to accost their victims
undetected by others.
And yes, actually others *have* killed after seeing a wanted poster.
It happened in 93's, a reproductive health doctor was killed after a
"wanted" poster was circulated: Dr. David LaMond Gunn. Likewise Dr.
Tiller had been shot after posters were circulated with his image on
them, and was later killed by a man he'd never met who stalked him.
You're correct in that no text on the poster actually used language
advocating violence directly. However, given the popular notion in
our collective memory of wanted posters of the past (who doesn't think
"DEAD OR ALIVE" when thinking of one), and the fact that there is a
more recent history of killings and injury linked with anti-choice
wanted posters, and the fact that the doctors' addresses and pictures
were included on the posters, it is a fair assumption that Mr. Benham
was indeed inciting to violence, and it was his full intent to do so.
The only outrageous thing about the settlement of this case is the man
only got 2 years of probation, and not several years in prison.
In science and facts,
Jean Dudley.
On Nov 8, 2010, at Mon, Nov 8, 11:43 PM, Gordon James Klingenschmitt
wrote:
Curious what our expert legal list members might say.....this case
is the first attempt at enforcing a new "residential peace" law that
prohibits raising your voice on a public sidewalk outside the home
of an abortion doctor....the doctor had never met the protester
until today in court, so the "stalking" definition is dubious....but
the "wanted" posters should be protected as freedom of the press.
Or are they? The actual text on the posters said "Wanted by Jesus
to stop killing babies." No threats of physical violence were ever
reported. In Jesus, Chaplain Klingenschmitt
---------------------------------------------------
http://www.wsoctv.com/news/25678662/detail.html
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A local pastor was found guilty Monday of
stalking a doctor who performs abortions.
He was sentenced to 24 months probation and plans to appeal.
Reverend "Flip" Benham posted wild west-style "Wanted" posters which
gave the doctor's name and home address.
Benham said this was a free speech issue, that he has a
constitutional right to speak his mind.
He said, "[The doctor] kills babies. He does it for a living.
He has no respect for life of children in the safety and
neighborhoods of their mothers' wombs."
But others saw the posters as threats to women's rights and the
doctor himself.
Cindy Thompson, with the Charlotte chapter of the National
Organization for Women said,
"It's none of his business. He needs to leave women alone and let us
make up our minds."
Some worried anti-abortion activists might kill the doctor,
something that has happened elsewhere
and was mentioned multiple times in court Monday.
Prosecutors said it was like putting a target on the doctor's back.
The doctor said he felt the poster was a "call for my murder."
He said he was always looking over his shoulder, that he'd get down
on his hands and knees
to make sure there were no bombs under his car, that he was worried
someone would be
on the roof waiting to shoot him, and that he even watched TV in
rooms with fewer windows.
Benham replied, "Nobody has gone and killed because [he or she] saw
a poster.
That is most absurd and logical fallacy that there possibly could be."
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