Free speech group calls foul play at prosecutors using Comey novel in case against him
PEN America condemns lawyers using passage from thriller to bolster claim ex-FBI director intended to harm Trump
TL;DR
- PEN America criticizes prosecutors for using James Comey's novel, "FDR Drive," in a case against him.
- Prosecutors cite passages from the novel and a book review to argue Comey's social media post was a threat against Donald Trump.
- The prosecution claims Comey's Instagram post featuring seashells arranged to read '8647' was a coded threat, with '86' meaning to 'get rid of' and '47' referring to Trump as the 47th president.
- Comey denies the charges, stating he opposes violence and removed the post, and his lawyers argue the case is vindictive and politically motivated.
- PEN America argues that using creative works to support criminal charges raises significant free expression concerns.