Arizona student gets restraining order after Twitter threat

Arizona student gets restraining order after Twitter threat

2010-10-26 21:01:13 GMT+7 (ICT)

PHOENIX (BNO NEWS) -- An Arizona student has been given a restraining order after he posted a threat on Twitter that was aimed towards a Maricopa County judge, the Arizona Republic reported on Tuesday.

Steve Russell, 22, said he is from a generation 'where you post first, think later,' he explained. Earlier this month, the newspaper reported, Russell had posted that he would not hesitate to punch Maricopa County Judge Ward Connerly in the face if he saw him.

But Connerly, who is apparently from a generation where a threat is a threat even if it is made in 140 characters or less, applied for a restraining order after he heard about or saw the tweet. It orders Russell to keep at least 100 feet (30 meters) away from Connerly.

Robyn Nebrich, interim executive director for the nonprofit Arizona Students' Association where Russell is an intern, told the Arizona Republic that Russell had made a bad joke. "It wasn't really meant as a threat," Nebrich told the newspaper. "He didn't realize the implications of what he was saying. Steve really regrets doing it. He is definitely learning from the experience."

Connerly does not have to expect an apology from Russell however, as the restraining order also prevents him from having any contact with the judge.

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