In Ohio, political blogger D.J. Byrnes is set to stand trial on Thursday for allegedly sending state senator Jerry Cirino an obscene image of Shrek with his penis exposed. Byrnes, who runs a progressive newsletter, was charged with telecommunications harassment after Cirino complained to police in May. Byrnes has pleaded not guilty, claiming the texts are protected free speech. He was arrested in June and spent 23 hours in jail. If convicted, he faces up to six months in prison. The trial will determine whether the messages crossed the line from political commentary to harassment.
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