A Washington state appeals court ruled that the First Amendment rights of a convicted sex predator, James Aston Jr.,were not violated when he was committed for treatment for writing fantasies about children.
The appeals court held that the Ashton’s comments and writings were not protected speech and constituted a “threat” and an “act” under the civil-commitment law. Ashton had admitted to his parole officer that he would commit sexually predatory acts in the future and had been writing fantasies to children. -db
From the First Amendment Center, May 27, 2011, by David L. Hudson Jr.