Free speech case in US

The comedy promoter who was arrested for urging passers-by to ‘laugh at the crippled girl’ performing at his club is suing for ‘malicious prosecution’.

Forest Thomer has this week filed a lawsuit against the city of Cincinnati over his arrest in May last year.

Police stopped him as he approached people in a park fair with his friend Ally Bruener, a comic who has muscular dystrophy. After his provocative line, Bruener would crack a joke and plug the show.

In November, a court cleared Thomer of the charge of ‘turbulent behaviour’ after a four-day trial – but now he is launching his own legal action.

He is claiming false arrest, malicious prosecution and being deprived of his constitutional rights to free speech.

Published: 23 May 2013