A Tennessee man, Larry Bushart, has reached a settlement of $835,000 with a sheriff after being jailed for 37 days due to a Facebook post he shared following the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, as confirmed by his lawyers on Wednesday.
The shooting of Charlie Kirk last September triggered widespread social media reactions nationwide, sparking dismissals, resignations, and a debate on free speech boundaries. Among them, Larry Bushart was notably the only individual facing felony charges because of his posts related to Kirk’s death.
In his posts, Bushart shared memes accusing Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA, of promoting hate. Additionally, he quoted past remarks by former President Trump regarding moving beyond a school shooting. The sheriff’s office in Perry County, Tennessee, alleged these posts incited violence.
His bail was set at a staggering $2 million, and he remained incarcerated until the charge was eventually dismissed.
Following the settlement, Bushart expressed his sense of justice. “The people’s freedom to participate in civil discourse is crucial to a healthy democracy,” he stated. “I am looking forward to moving on and spending time with my family.”
At 61, Bushart is a retired law enforcement officer. He joins others who have successfully sought compensation over repercussions linked to Charlie Kirk’s death.
In a similar case, a professor at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee achieved a $500,000 settlement with the university and was reinstated in January. Additionally, in Iowa, a public defender recently secured an agreement to be rehired and received $125,000 in compensation after being dismissed.
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