( CNN ) -- A federal judge dismissed a case of cyberstalking on Twitter ruling that even though some tweets caused emotional stress , they are still considered free speech . The case involved Alyce Zeoli , a Buddhist leader based in Maryland . Zeoli aroused the ire of William Lawrence Cassidy , a man who , according to the memorandum opinion issued in the case , befriended Zeoli in 2007 before the two had a falling out . Using various pseudonyms on Twitter and on blogs , Cassidy published more than 8,000 tweets and posts about Zeoli often wishing death upon her . ( One tweet , for example , read , `` Do the world a favor and go kill yourself . P.S . Have a nice day . '' ) Zeoli cooperated with the FBI , which had Cassidy indicted and put in jail in February on interstate stalking charges , a statute of the Violence Against Women Act . Cassidy sought to dismiss the indictment on the grounds that it violated the First Amendment . The judge in the case , Roger W. Titus , agreed with Cassidy 's assertion , concluding that the First Amendment `` protects speech even when the subject or the manner of expression is uncomfortable and challenges conventional religious beliefs , political attitudes or standards of good taste . '' Titus also cited the fact that Zeoli is a public figure ( she was the subject of a book published in 2000 ) and ruled that Cassidy 's remarks did n't constitute a `` true threat . '' Factoring into Titus 's thinking was his assessment of Twitter and blogs , which he likened to billboards . Billboards , he reasoned , do not send messages and `` does not communicate , except to those who voluntarily choose to read what is posted on it . '' In reaction to the ruling , Zeoli was `` appalled and frightened , '' according to her lawyer , Shanlon Wu , who spoke to The New York Times . Chun Wright , one of Zeoli 's attorneys , says it has n't been determined yet whether an appeal to Titus 's ruling will be sought . Cassidy 's public defenders , meanwhile , are working on getting him released from jail , according to the report . What do you think ? Should posts on Twitter and blogs be protected even if they appear to be threatening ? Let us know in the comments . © 2013 MASHABLE.com . All rights reserved .
Alyce Zeoli , a Buddhist leader , pressed interstate stalking charges against William Cassidy . Cassidy published more than 8,000 tweets about Zeoli often wishing death upon her . The judge dismissed Cassidy 's indictment because it violated the First Amendment . Judge says the amendment protects free speech and did n't constitute a 'true threat '