Animal-Rights Activist Accused of Stalking

(Detroit, Michigan) Last Friday, Florida animal-rights activist Camille Marino, 48, was ordered to stand trial for stalking a university researcher, Donal O'Leary, and violating bond conditions.

Marino is charged with aggravated stalking and unlawful posting of a message with aggravating circumstances.

Prosecutors allege Marino was harassing O'Leary and posting comments and his home address on a "Negotiation is Over" blog and social media sites. Defense has argued Marino has a right to political speech which is protected under the First Amendment.

Bryant-Weeks said Marino's actions exceeded politically protected speech and "went to direct threats."

In court Friday, prosecutors also produced a July 2 post on Marino's blog that links to an article by another animal activist that brings up a picture of O'Leary being killed. The judge in June ordered Marino to stop posting on the website.

O'Leary testified Friday that the photo depicted him with his eye gouged out and buried in sand with his mouth sewn shut.

A bond amount increase to $500,000 was ordered by 36th District Court Judge Lynise Bryant-Weeks. Arraignment is scheduled for July 20.