A divided federal appeals court won’t revive Texas online journalist’s lawsuit over 2017 arrest

Published January 23, 2024 5:36 PM

By KEVIN McGILL
Associated Press

A divided federal appeals court has refused to revive the lawsuit of a Texas-based online citizen journalist who says she was wrongfully arrested for seeking and obtaining nonpublic information from police. A state judge dismissed the criminal case against Priscilla Villarreal and said the law used to arrest her in 2017 was unconstitutional. But Villarreal still wanted to sue officials for damages. She lost Tuesday in a 9-7 decision from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Villarreal and an attorney who represented her said they would take the case to the Supreme Court.

Article Topic Follows: AP National

Jump to comments ↓

Associated Press

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KIFI Local News 8 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.