Man Goes to Jail for Being an Internet Troll

[Mechsoap]

cant say i feel sorry for him.

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

The Jade Goody sites deserved it. The boy, however, did not.

 

[Zepren]

Any society that puts people in prison for being a dick is a society that's in deep trouble indeed.

Hope that wasn't a snipe at the way things are done here in the uk cause that's the law here. If you go out of your way to distress a grieving family then you should be dealt with seriously. Can you really condone someone who made claims to having had sex with the corpse of a Four Year Oldboy on a tribute site dedicated to him? That's a society I definitely would not

 

[Dak_N_Jaxter]

This really isn't a free speech issue. This wasn't a guy trying to tell you his religious beliefs are correct or saying how are going to be the end of the world.

He speech was meant to delibrately hurt a grieving family for only his personal amusement.

This wasn't a guy talking about how Halo or Half-Life sucks and how we are all dumb for enjoying it.

When you tell a grieving family on the internet that you had sex with their kids corpse, and the only reason you are doing it is because you think you're anonymous and it gives you LOL's. There's a line there, it's blurry and wavy mind you. I think this guy crossed that line.

I think the punishment is a bit over the top. 18 weeks in jail is a lot. I would have preferred a fine and community service. Granted if this guy was that big of a douche then maybe he deserved what he got.

My sentiments too.
Steep punishment, but you shouldn't turn a blind eye to blatant harassment.

 

[PumpItUp]

This is the equivalent of opening the window of a black family's home and calling them all the N-word.

Generally offensive speech (swearing/using racial epithets in public) is protected but specifically offensive speech (targeting a specific group/person for malicious reasons) is not.

This man deserves a little prison time, maybe 3 weeks, a large fine, and some community service. And a whack to the head.

 

[Tdc2182]

I don't like trolls. They're attention-seeking jerks who will say anything to get a rise out of people. When they get demolished in a forum thread, or banned, or even punched in the mouth, I don't mind at all. But I'm having a hard time believing that someone is going to jail for it. Any society that puts people in prison for being a dick is a society that's in deep trouble indeed.

Oh how much I disagree with you.

Its like all the racist idiots who hide behind the constitution to say whatever they want. Now they are getting in trouble for it.

 

[Lufteluke]

That's freedom of speach for you...

 

[The Fork of Truth]

I think he deserves it completely. I would consider telling someone you had sex with their dead child as harassment.

My thoughts exactly. I heard about this earlier today actually. I think saying this is a case of free speech is a complete overreaction. It's not "being such a dick" he's being sent to prison for, really. It does seem odd someone handed in his picture though.

 

[ProfessorLayton]

I think this was a bit more than simple trolling... why is it that if he said it to them in person, it would have been horrible, but because he said it on the internet then it's ok?

And according to the official laws of Layton Land, anyone caught not being a gentleman is subject to public executions. This man got it easy.

 

[Rad Party God]

Is it just me that sees the irony that he's managed to be extremely succesful as a troll?
He 1) Got a rise out of people
2) Got a rise out of people affected by an issue, and
3) He got a rise out of the authorities.

I guess he's a pretty succesful Troll...

 

[BrailleOperatic]

I think we should also keep in mind that there are cardinalities of, for lack of better word, douche-baggery. His actual trolling was pretty extreme, even for a troll. I mean, necrophilia is a serious thing.

And in any case, there are some very important facts missing here; namely, why did his neighbors feel the need to inform the police. I might be an optimist, but I like to think people do things for actual reasons, so I find it hard to believe the sent the photos off simply because he's a troll.

On one final note, to answer the articles question: what I find most disturbing is the fact that Mr. Coss felt it necessary to inform the world of his troll status. Anonymity is what allows trolls to be trolls. His own violation of that anonymity reflects something far more serious than asimple need to be an annoying asshole.

 

[SeanTheSheep]

Is it just me that sees the irony that he's managed to be extremely succesful as a troll?
He 1) Got a rise out of people
2) Got a rise out of people affected by an issue, and
3) He got a rise out of the authorities.

I guess he's a pretty succesful Troll...

Spoiler: Youtube video

I considered posting that, but decided against it.

 

[The Rockerfly]

I think this is relevant to the guys he was trolling

As much as one ambiguous internet figure can love another, I love you for that image.

That picture made my day so much.

Thank you, it's defiantly the grin that guy has.
It's hypnotic

 

[Buchichu]

dear Andy Chalk, do not use this case as some kind of statement against action being taken on the internet. This guy was not a "troll" in the sense of the word that we all use it, he was harassing these poor people and in my world - the real world - that is not only disgusting and immoral behaviour, it's also illegal. This jackass got exactly what he deserved.

Just because it's the Internet it doesn't mean people shouldn't be held accountable for their actions. Maybe it's that attitude that gives rise to so many god damn trolls and internet bullies in the first place.

 

[dalek sec]

I don't like trolls. They're attention-seeking jerks who will say anything to get a rise out of people. When they get demolished in a forum thread, or banned, or even punched in the mouth, I don't mind at all. But I'm having a hard time believing that someone is going to jail for it. Any society that puts people in prison for being a dick is a society that's in deep trouble indeed.

Oh how much I disagree with you.

Its like all the racist idiots who hide behind the constitution to say whatever they want. Now they are getting in trouble for it.

This pretty much sum's up how I feel about this whole event. I'm glad this idiot will be facing some jail time and hope he has a rough time in there. Free speech doesn't give anyone the right to act like a total dick without getting trouble for it.

 

[Lt. Dragunov]

I think this is relevant to the guys he was trolling

I play the trap card, 'counter troll'

Dude that picture made my day. Thank you =)