Jury Clears Man Who Used The Word "Crippled"

A Hamilton County jury has found a man not guilty of disorderly conduct after he asked people in a Cincinnati park if they wanted to laugh at a "crippled girl."25-year-old Forest Thomer argued his free speech rights were violated. Prosecutors focused their case on what the called his "turbulent behavior," not his speech. Thomer asked people if they wanted to laugh at his friend, comedian Ally Bruener, as they promoted her comedy show and website. Bruener has muscular dystrophy and is in a wheelchair. She says she uses humor to try to remove any stigma about use of the word "crippled."