Judge: Why I threw out web hoax conviction

A JUDGE has explained his decision to quash convictions against a Missouri mother for her role in an internet hoax directed at a 13-year-old neighbour who later committed suicide.

US district judge George Wu said in his written ruling that the case, billed as America’s first cyber-bullying trial, was never a legal test of such crimes.

Prosecutors brought charges against Lori Drew under the Federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Statute which did not involve cyber-bullying, the judge said.