Tennessee officials agreed to pay $835,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by Larry Bushart. He was jailed for over a month due to a Facebook post regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. This case gained attention as Bushart’s arrest marked a rare escalation from social media commentary to criminal charges.
Bushart, a 61-year-old retired police officer, spent 37 days in jail. During this time, he lost a postretirement job and missed personal milestones, including his wedding anniversary and the birth of his granddaughter. Authorities eventually dropped the felony charge against him in October.
In December, Bushart filed a federal lawsuit against Perry County, its sheriff, and the investigator responsible for his arrest warrant. “I am pleased my First Amendment rights have been vindicated,” Bushart stated after the settlement was announced. He emphasized the importance of free civil discourse to democracy and expressed a desire to focus on family life.
Attempts to reach Perry County Mayor John Carroll for comment were unsuccessful. Bushart’s arrest occurred following his refusal to remove memes joking about Kirk’s death. Perry County, near Bushart’s residence, held a candlelight vigil in Kirk’s honor. The meme that led to Bushart’s arrest included President Trump’s quote about moving on from a school shooting, which concerned local residents fearing a threat to Perry County High School. Sheriff Nick Weems clarified that the post referred to a school in Iowa but acknowledged the community’s alarm.
Bushart’s bail, initially set at $2 million, was reduced as the case gained national interest. Cary Davis, from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, noted this case tests the limits of free speech. Davis asserted that the Constitution holds officials accountable when they infringe on these rights and hopes the settlement will serve as a reminder to respect the First Amendment.