A three-judge panel has ruled against long-time NRA Lobbyist Marion Hammer in a claim that e-mails she received were threatening and caused emotional distress. The 2018 e-mails sent from a group of men including Los Angeles Attorney Lawrence Sorensen contained photographs of victims from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting. During the hearing Sorensen’s lawyer, Thomas Findley told the panel Florida’s standard for wrongful speech is “fairly high.”
“The level of outrageousness can’t be met by this level of communication with a lobbyist in a polite manner," said Findley. "The pictures are gruesome but sometimes that’s what some people think is useful to convey their point.”
In the ruling, the judges say Hammer’s claims don’t reach the level of intentional or reckless conduct needed to count as intentional infliction of emotional distress.
