DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A judge has dismissed a harassment charge against a woman who emailed a Des Moines school district employee to express her support for a fired Des Moines football coach.
Carol Tiernan-Williams, 58, of Des Moines, was charged after emailing Amanda Easton and posting on Facebook about her in 2012. Easton, who led the school district’s investigation into the fired coach, reported the incidents to authorities.
Tiernan-Williams was the administrator of a group that had supported the reinstatement of Tom Mihalovich, a former coach who was dismissed after an investigation determined he broke policies for bullying, harassment and corporal punishment in disciplining a player. Two other coaches were also fired.
Authorities argued that Tiernan-Williams was charged because she ignored a police warning to stop sending messages to Easton and other school officials.
But District Associate Judge Carol Egly found Friday that the emails contained no threatening language and were clearly signed by Tiernan-Williams, The Des Moines Register reported (https://dmreg.co/1flyqmW). There was no indication that Tiernan-Williams’ disagreements with Easton were personal, Egly said.
“There’s nothing but peaceful expression,” the judge said before dismissing the case. “There’s no veiled threats.”
Tiernan-Williams has a First Amendment right to criticize government officials and employees, Tiernan-Williams’ attorney, Matthew Shimanovsky, said Friday.
“Frankly, she’s allowed to communicate and speak and complain and be critical of the job that the Des Moines Public Schools did,” he said. “That’s what the First Amendment is designed to protect.”
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Information from: The Des Moines Register, https://www.desmoinesregister.com
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