A man suspected of making online threats to schools and religious leaders is facing one less charge.
Flathead County District Judge Heidi J. Ulbricht on Tuesday dropped a criminal defamation charge against 28-year-old David Joseph Lenio.
Authorities say the threats were made in February when Lenio engaged in a Twitter exchange with Jonathan Huston, spokesman for the Brady Campaign and Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
Defense attorney Brent Getty filed a motion in May saying the felonies should be dropped partially because they were overbroad. He argued there was no victim.
Ulbricht wrote in her opinion that Lenio may have said he’s glad his posts led to more active law enforcement in schools, making it possible that he intended his statements to influence others to act.