A 22-year-old Montreal woman was found guilty of criminal harassment for, in part, posting a photo of graffiti depicting a Montreal police officer being shot to death on Instagram.
The graffiti showed Cmdr. Ian Lafreniere, an SPVM spokesperson, with a bullet hole in his forehead. Jennifer Pawluck took a picture of the drawing and circulated it on the internet with several hashtags that identified the officer, and included a suggestion police should all be shot.
Jennifer Pawluck was arrested after posting this photo she took of graffiti portraying a Montreal police officer shot in the head.
During their investigation police turned up other evidence of threats besides the photograph.
Cmdr. Ian Lafreniere, one of the city's most visible police officers, testified during her trial the image shook him up, scared his children and caused his wife to stop working for several months.
The judge concluded it was reasonable for Lafreniere to fear for his safety, and as a result, Pawluck was found guilty.
“I think it's very important to think of the impact we have when we put things on the internet. The impact on other people, when we decide to post something on the internet,” said prosecutor Josianne Laplante.
Because Pawluck was charged under a summary offence, the maximum sentence is six months in jail or a $5,000 fine. Sentencing arguments will be heard May 14.
- with files from The Canadian Press
