The state attorney general's office says a former Vermont legislator who resigned after receiving racial threats was "the victim of racial harassment," but no charges will be filed because of free speech protections.
Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan announced Monday his office has completed its investigation into threats against former House Representative Kiah Morris and determined that while they are “…racist, insulting and degrading they are not subject to prosecution.” MYNBC5 carried his remarks: “The Constitution does not permit us to prosecute racist speech because we find it offensive. The First Amendment is restrictive on the powers of prosecutors where the statements involve elected officials.”
Donovan announced the creation of a new statewide Bias Incident Reporting System. Kiah Morris became Vermont's first black female legislator in 2014 and quit last year after a series of racist threats and harassment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Contents © copyright 2019. All rights reserved.
