Woman Narrowly Avoids Jail Time for Emailing Ex
Woman Narrowly Avoids Jail Time for Emailing Ex
Be careful the next time you get something off your chest and click “send” — in the Lone Star state, at least. While it’s not illegal to express yourself (hello, First Amendment), several Texas counties prohibit "vulgar, profane, obscene or indecent language, in person, in writing or by telephone."
According to The Houston Chronicle, an Austin woman learned about the mandate firsthand. While her ex’s feeling may have been hurt, Gayle Magness's criminal record suffered a greater blow: She was sentenced to 18 months for her evil emailing ways.
Magness sent 84 emails to her ex, detailing his sexual ability, weight, and current wife. The couple divorced in 2004, and Magness was sentenced to a year and a half of jail time in 2007, which was then reduced to a two weekends in jail and community supervision. (Imagine having to write that into your planner? 2/28 to 2/29: “Pick up dry cleaning; hit the slammer.”)
Despite a reduced sentence, Magness’s laywer appealed, and her sentence was overturned this week. Turns out, since the prohibitions were not mandated, the order was deemed invalid.
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