Court Opinion

ID: 9755070
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-28 20:23:47.555285+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:28:02.293168
License: Public Domain

*677Justice CASTILLE,
concurring.
I join the majority opinion. I think the question of whether the communications at issue amounted to a “true threat” is a close one, and one that reasonable jurists might disagree about. In light of the totality of the circumstances, including the targeted, violent and solicitous statements here concerning one particular teacher, there is something to be said for Mr. Chief Justice Zappala’s conclusion that the communications “constituted threatening statements which connote a serious expression of intent to inflict harm” which are entirely beyond First Amendment protection. This question, however, is an intensely factual one and, after much reflection, I am satisfied to join in Mr. Justice Cappy’s view of the matter. I do so because Justice Cappy’s analysis of this important question, as well as the question of whether the School District could otherwise punish J.S. for the communications — including Justice Cappy’s exposition of the constitutional standards and considerations that must govern our review — is analytically comprehensive and legally convincing. I also join in the majority opinion because I believe that it is important for this Court to decide eases by clear majority opinion whenever possible, and particularly where, as here, the case is heard upon discretionary appeal. See U.S. Airways, Inc. v. Barnett, 535 U.S. 391,---, 122 S.Ct. 1516, 1526-27, 152 L.Ed.2d 589 (2002) (O’Connor, J., concurring).