Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 6218 Changing a Facebook status to “widowed” may not be threatening on its face, without knowing the background. But when the individual posting that status is facing prison for brutally beating his wife, the statement takes on a different meaning. The fear and disruption caused by threats like these can be debilitating. “It isn’t just emotional harm,” Lyzzette said. “Threats have concrete social and economic consequences—forcing moves, causing isolation from family and friends, and squandering public resources by diverting funds to investigate whether the threats are ‘real’—that is, whether there is any danger they will be carried out.” Weighing all of the evidence in this case, the Supreme Judicial Court ultimately ruled that no reasonable jury could have determined that the content on the defendant’s Facebook page constituted a threat under the statute; however, the Justices also agreed that a threat commu- nicated via Facebook is still a threat, even if it isn’t specifically directed to its intended target. Going forward, that means that Massachusetts state courts will interpret the stalking law to include communications made on Facebook and other social media. That’s comforting news for those threatened by domestic violence, and everyone working to protect them. Through the firm’s Domestic Violence Project, Mintz Levin’s pro bono attorneys have worked on behalf of victims and their supporters and advocates for more than 25 years. 19 “Every now and then one paints a picture that seems to have opened a door and serves as a stepping stone to other things.” — Pablo Picasso