Appeals court throws out right-wing influencer’s conviction for 2016 election interference
EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, JUL 9 – The Second Circuit ruled there was insufficient evidence that Douglass Mackey knowingly conspired to suppress votes despite 5,000 people following his meme’s false instructions, court records show.
- A federal appeals court in Manhattan reversed Douglass Mackey's 2023 conviction for disseminating false information aimed at reducing support for Democratic voters during the 2016 presidential race.
- The conviction came after prosecutors asserted that between September and November 2016, Mackey coordinated with others to distribute misleading memes that falsely instructed Democratic voters to support Hillary Clinton via text messages or social media.
- At sentencing, Judge Ann M. Donnelly called Mackey a leading conspirator in an effort described as an assault on democracy, and Mackey received a seven-month prison sentence.
- The three-judge 2nd Circuit panel ruled that posting memes, even with intent to harm voter rights, does not prove conspiracy without evidence Mackey knowingly agreed with others, and noted no proof the memes misled anyone into not properly voting.
- Mackey welcomed the court's order, declaring vindication, and he plans legal action against the Justice Department, while the ruling suggests limits on proving conspiracy from online activity alone.
80 Articles
80 Articles
Conviction Overturned for Man Jailed for Posting a Mean Tweet about Hillary Clinton
It was another Biden era travesty of justice when an Internet jokster was convicted and jailed in 2023 for posting a mean Twitter post about Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election. Back during the 2016 presidential election, Douglass Mackey had posted a funny Internet post telling Democrats to “vote for Hillary by text.” His Twitter […] The post Conviction Overturned for Man Jailed for Posting a Mean Tweet about Hillary Clinton appeared first …
A Second Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the criminal conviction against Douglass Mackey, a social media influencer known as "Ricky Vaughn", who had been found guilty in 2023 of conspiring to interfere with the right to vote during the 2016 presidential election.]]>
Twitter Troll's Conspiracy Conviction Over 2016 Hillary Clinton Election Memes Overturned
A federal appeals court ruled Wednesday to overturn the 2023 conviction of Douglass Mackey, known online as Ricky Vaughn, for social media posts made during the 2016 election regarding then-candidate Hillary Clinton. Following a one-week trial in a Brooklyn federal court, Mackey was convicted of conspiracy for posting what have been characterized as memes suggesting [...] The post Twitter Troll’s Conspiracy Conviction Over 2016 Hillary Clinton E…
Pro-Trump 'troll' who spread Hillary text-to-vote memes in 2016 has conviction tossed by appeals court
The appeals court decision is a win for Douglass Mackey, who spread false information online, including efforts to suppress Democrat voter turnout, in the run-up to 2016.
Activist’s conviction for Hillary Clinton memes tossed by appeals courts
A social media influencer who was sentenced to seven months behind bars two years ago for posting anti-Hillary Clinton memes that federal prosecutors deemed election interference for misleading voters had his conviction overturned.
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