Kowe wrote: ↑
April 6th, 2024, 22:08
Anon wrote: ↑
April 6th, 2024, 21:43
Well we need to know what's the "death threat" especifically. If it's that silly karlach beheading screenshot @ANONYMOUS_FRI3ND has done a few months ago to own the troons, it's one thing. Now if it's PMing Larian employees "we know your address and where you work, beware now", it's another completely different.
Isn't the former NOT considered a death threat by law because it has no single clear target ? At least by American law. Not to mention, only a virtual character got "hurt".
From my understanding, threats require multiple components. Intent needs to be established, as well as ability, and it needs to be reasonable in its ability to be carried out as well as the person also needs to show that they reasonably feared that the threat would be carried out.
There are a lot of conditions and most of the "accusations" of threats like these are thrown out with a good lawyer.
People on the internet claiming they "feared for their life" is mostly public show. If a guy lives in another country, state, etc... makes some basic threat generally, it would be very difficult for an honest prosecutor or judge to take it seriously (remember... honest), especially if no further action or means is taken by the person making the threat to see it to fruition.
Circumstance is important as well. A guy in a bar who has a heated argument and blurts it out, but does not press it would be a difficult means for prosecution. If that person however pulled out a weapon of any sort (knife, gun, etc...) this provides many elements required to reasonably justify the fear and the intent.
Like Anon mentioned, someone simply sending some imagery, or symbolically suggesting such would be a very tough sell, but if they were stalking, harassing, and it could be construed as intent to some degree. A passing comment, or the like I don't think would be legally justified as such.
Though this also would depend on country, state, even city/county codes which change from place to place, especially in commie "sissy states" where hurt feelings may be coded into law.
These days unfortunately, anything can be taken to court and even successfully prosecuted, regardless if it is just.