Ohio blogger on trial over explicit Shrek image sent to GOP senator

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 8 Oct, 15:55 · Archive

An Ohio political blogger faces trial for sending a Republican state senator an explicit cartoon image.

DJ Byrnes, a 39-year-old Columbus political blogger who runs The Rooster, a progressive Substack newsletter covering local politics, went on trial on Thursday charged with telecommunications harassment, a misdemeanor. He allegedly sent Republican state senator Jerry Cirino text messages in May containing political commentary and an explicit image of the cartoon character Shrek.

According to documents, Byrnes texted Cirino after the senator had dropped out of a race for the Ohio Senate presidency. The messages referred to Cirino as 'young Mussolini', a nickname Byrnes had previously used for the politician. Attached to one text was a digitally altered image of Shrek described in an arrest affidavit as 'fully nude with an exposed and erect humanlike penis engaged in an act of masturbation'. Cirino responded to the image saying 'I don't know who this is but I am certain you are a moron'.

Byrnes has pleaded not guilty and argues the texts constitute constitutionally protected free speech, citing the First Amendment. A motion to dismiss his case was denied. Cirino told the Columbus Dispatch: 'I can't wait for the jury to see the image that he sent me.' Byrnes explained in court documents that sending an explicit image of Shrek was part of a 'longstanding internet meme'.

How it is being reported

• Blogger charged after Ohio state senator was sent picture of Shrek’s penisD.J. Byrnes allegedly referred to Sen. Jerry Cirino as ‘young Mussolini’ and sent him an image of the cartoon Shrek with his penis exposedIndependent World · 8 Oct, 15:30
• Ohio political blogger to stand trial for sending GOP state senator explicit Shrek photoAn Ohio political blogger will be in court on Thursday for a trial over whether or not an explicit picture of Shrek he sent to a Republican state lawmaker is free speech or harassment. Columbus-based reporter DJ Byrnes, a 39-year-old Substack writer covering local politics called The Rooster, was charged with telecommunications harassment after allegedly...New York Post · 7 Oct, 23:07

In this story: DJ Byrnes · Jerry Cirino · Ohio · Columbus

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