Hate Messages on Twitter : it comes out without a criminal record

Photo courtesy
Antonio Padula

Michael Nguyen

Monday, 10 July 2017 10:58

UPDATE
Monday, 10 July 2017 10:58

Look at this article

The father of the family, which has multiplied the calls for the murder of muslims on Twitter, just after the bombing of the great mosque of Quebec in January, was released without a criminal record.

“Antonio Padula understands the serious consequences that can arise when one writes on the internet, a conditional discharge is not contrary to the public interest”, explained Marie-Claude Bourassa of the Crown, this Monday, at the palais de justice of Montreal.

Just before this statement, Padula had just plead guilty to masterminding a voluntary hatred, in a series of tweets written in January last, under the pseudonym Hermit Spirit.

The Montreal 46-year-old has invited his handful of subscribers to take up arms and “kill all muslims”. He also wished to exterminate all the refugees in the airports before they come to “violating our families,” “rape our women” and “marry our babies”.

Sarcasm

During his arrest, Padula had sworn to the police that his messages were sarcastic. By examining all of his writings, it is a possibility, but this did not prevent him to plead guilty on Monday.

Because for this charge, Padula did not have to have criminal intent, has explained to Me Bourassa. Even if he was being sarcastic, it all depends on how the readers react to the hateful messages.

“There may be consequences with these messages, it is sufficient [to file charges],” said the Crown. The important thing is to understand that we are accountable when we write online, we do not always know to whom you are addressing.”

In the case of Padula, the police investigation has demonstrated that in addition to these messages of hate, nothing could lead one to believe that it would take physically to anyone.

Damage

Padula was released with a conditional discharge with one year of probation, during which he will attempt to find a job. It is that the media coverage of the case had caused him to lose a job in human resources.

Since then, he would have difficulties in finding a job.

“The disadvantage is that when you type his name on the internet, we see articles written about him,” said Me Maxime Barasso of the defence, while recalling that his client has always been a model citizen.

During his year of probation, Padula has been banned from going on the internet, except for professional reasons. It will not be able to create an account on social networks such as Instagram and Snapchat.

“I don’t need social media, I don’t need Facebook,” said the court Padula, who did not wish to comment further on the case.