Pennsylvania Man: Adultery Prompted Threatening Online Rants
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- A Pennsylvania man on trial for allegedly having threatened on the Internet to carry out "the most heinous school shooting ever imagined" says his wife's adultery prompted his online rants.
Anthony Elonis testified in federal court Wednesday that he was deeply depressed when he made the online posts as a way of venting his frustration modeled on rap lyrics and a satirical Internet video.
The Bethlehem man was charged in December after the FBI said he made that threat and others on Facebook after he was fired in October from nearby Dorney Park and Wildwood Kingdom. Investigators say he threatened his wife and co-workers.
Elonis insisted during his testimony that "disclaimers" posted along with his rants were genuine.
Elonis' estranged wife testified the postings made her fear for her life.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
