RantCrush Top 5: December 22, 2016

A Florida woman who seemingly spent too much time reading fake news and conspiracy theories was arrested for sending death threats to the father of one of the children murdered at Sandy Hook in 2012. Lucy Richards, 57, has been unemployed since 2004, and doesn’t own a computer, but accessed the internet on her phone. She was charged with four felony counts of transmitting threats but pleaded not guilty.

Lenny Pozner, the target of the threats, is the father of Noah Pozner, who was only five years old when he was killed at Sandy Hook Elementary. He has dedicated his life to fighting “truthers,” who don’t believe the Sandy Hook shooting happened. Pozner was also targeted by former professor James F. Tracy, who demanded real proof that Noah ever lived. If Richards is convicted, she could face up to 20 years in prison.

Lucy Richards of Tampa was indicted in early December on four counts of transmitting threats across state boundaries https://t.co/3NNPMmtHCb

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) December 20, 2016

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.