A man from Tennessee, Larry Bushart, was jailed for 37 days following his Facebook post about Charlie Kirk’s death. He has now settled a lawsuit for $835,000 with the sheriff who detained him, as per his lawyers’ announcement on Wednesday.
The fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist, last September sparked a nationwide social media reaction. The incident led to debates on free speech and saw numerous firings and resignations. However, Bushart was the only individual charged with a felony in connection to his posts about Kirk’s death.
His posts included memes accusing Turning Point USA, Kirk’s organization, of promoting hate. He also shared previous remarks from former President Trump regarding a school shooting. The Perry County sheriff’s office claimed these posts threatened violence, leading to Bushart’s arrest.
Bail for Bushart was set at $2 million, and he remained in custody until the charges were dropped. Bushart has expressed relief over the settlement. “The people’s freedom to participate in civil discourse is crucial to a healthy democracy,” he stated, emphasizing his eagerness to move forward with his life and spend time with his family.
This case is not isolated. In January, a professor from Austin Peay State University in Tennessee secured a $500,000 settlement with the university, regaining his position. Additionally, Iowa recently agreed to reinstate and compensate a public defender with $125,000 after termination following comments on Kirk’s death.
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