R. v. Elliott, 2016 ONCJ 35 (CanLII)
Date: 2016-01-22
Citation: R. v. Elliott, 2016 ONCJ 35 (CanLII), CanLII - 2016 ONCJ 35 (CanLII)
Gregory Alan Elliott not guilty in Twitter harassment case
Gregory Alan Elliott not guilty in Twitter harassment case - Toronto - CBC News
Date: 2016-01-22
Citation: R. v. Elliott, 2016 ONCJ 35 (CanLII), CanLII - 2016 ONCJ 35 (CanLII)
Gregory Alan Elliott not guilty in Twitter harassment case
Gregory Alan Elliott not guilty in Twitter harassment case - Toronto - CBC News
A man charged with criminal harassment over his dealings on Twitter with two Toronto women's rights activists has been found not guilty — ending a trial that is expected to set a precedent for cases of online harassment.
Gregory Alan Elliott was accused of harassing Stephanie Guthrie and Heather Reilly over several months in 2012.
Guthrie and Reilly said they feared for their safety, testifying during the trial at the Ontario Court of Justice that they believed Elliott kept tabs on them and their whereabouts through social media, even after they blocked his account.
There were rumblings in the courtroom as Judge Brent Knazan read his decision. Supporters for both sides filled the benches, with some even sitting on the floor.
In his tweets, Elliott was largely explaining himself and furthering his views "however offensive or wrong they may be," the judge said, while recognizing the language could be "vulgar and sometimes obscene."
The charges were dismissed.
Gregory Alan Elliott was accused of harassing Stephanie Guthrie and Heather Reilly over several months in 2012.
Guthrie and Reilly said they feared for their safety, testifying during the trial at the Ontario Court of Justice that they believed Elliott kept tabs on them and their whereabouts through social media, even after they blocked his account.
There were rumblings in the courtroom as Judge Brent Knazan read his decision. Supporters for both sides filled the benches, with some even sitting on the floor.
In his tweets, Elliott was largely explaining himself and furthering his views "however offensive or wrong they may be," the judge said, while recognizing the language could be "vulgar and sometimes obscene."
The charges were dismissed.
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