Judge rules rap's lyrics not enough to expel teen

[Eugene]

Judge rules rap's lyrics not enough to expel teen

Violence in the songs not found to pose 'true threats'

By JOE MANDAK
Associated Press

PITTSBURGH - A judge on Wednesday ordered a school district to readmit
a 14-year-old student expelled for writing violent, profane rap
lyrics, finding that his songs didn't amount to "true threats" against
the school and so were protected by the First Amendment.

The Riverside Beaver County School District kicked out Anthony Latour
because officials believed his lyrics constituted threats to shoot up
the school and another student.

The American Civil Liberties Union, representing Latour, claimed his
songs were "battle rap" — a music genre in which two people try to
out-rhyme each other, often using violent put-downs.

U.S. District Judge Donetta Ambrose issued a preliminary injunction
ordering the district to admit Latour to the ninth grade when classes
resume Aug. 31.

School officials learned of Latour's writings in March and contacted
police, who charged him with terroristic threats and harassment.
Latour was expelled in May. The charges are still pending.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/nation/3324176