OK TeaParty Founder's Blackmail Conviction Overturned

The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals has overturned the felony blackmail conviction for Sooner Tea Party co-founder Al Gerhart, saying that an email he sent to a state lawmaker was protected speech under the First Amendment.

In a 3-2 ruling Wednesday, the court also reversed a $1,000 fine that a jury ordered Gerhart to pay after he was convicted of sending an email to a former state senator who said he felt threatened by its tone.…