A white man was charged Wednesday with making terrorist threats for online comments he directed at demonstrators who were protesting the officer-involved fatal shooting of a black man.
The charge--made in Racine Court--comes after two black men were similarly accused of making threatening, online comments against police.
The court activity comes after District Attorney Patricia Hanson, in an interview with the Racine Journal Times, signaled a crackdown against social media users and others who incite violence.
Wednesday's charge was lodged against 35 year-old Brandon Spiller of Burlington. According to the criminal complaint, Spiller's objectionable comments were made on the Facebook page of WTMJ TV, which had covered a demonstration that had been sparked by the Jan. 17th death of Donte Shannon. "Death to all protesters blocking traffic," Spiller allegedly wrote. "Much rather run them over. I read in some states it's legal to run a protester over for blocking traffic," Spiller was quoted as saying.
Spiller appeared in court Wednesday for his initial appearance. He was released after signing his own bond.
The charge of making terrorist threats carries with it a prison term of up to three-and-a-half years and a $10,000 fine.
The cases against the black men who were previously charged--Bryce Bowens and Darryl Hibbler--are pending.
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