State v. Taveras

Summary

The court held that the defendant's statements, demeanor, prior interactions with preschool staff, and the staff's immediate reactions objectively established that his remarks were true threats unprotected by the First Amendment. Applying independent appellate review to the ultimate constitutional question while accepting supported subsidiary findings, the court reversed the Appellate Court and remanded for consideration of the defendant's remaining claims. Chief Justice Robinson, concurring, emphasized the importance of factual context, while Justice D'Auria, joined by Justice McDonald, would have reached the same result without conducting a true-threats analysis.