Courthouse Shooter's Relatives Want Charges Dismissed

Attorneys for relatives of a man who killed two people at a Delaware courthouse are asking a federal judge to dismiss conspiracy and stalking charges against them.

Lawyers for David Matusiewicz; his mother, Lenore; and sister Amy Gonzalez are challenging the constitutionality of a federal law under which they could be sentenced to life in prison. They're accused of stalking David's ex-wife, Christine Belford, resulting in her death.

Belford and her friend Laura "Beth" Mulford were shot and killed by David Matusiewicz's father, Thomas, last year.

Defense attorneys say the stalking law is unconstitutional because it doesn't require prosecutors to prove that the defendants intended to cause Belford's death.

Gonzalez's attorney also argues that the stalking charges should be dismissed because they stem from speech and conduct that is protected by the First Amendment.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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