Controversial Massachusetts blogger Aiden Kearney, known online as "Turtleboy", found himself in handcuffs after a judge revoked his bail over new allegations of assault and battery and witness intimidation. Kearney, who was previously indicted on 16 felony charges including intimidation of a witness, had his bail revoked following a weekend incident involving his ex-girlfriend.
The latest skirmish to keep Kearney behind bars saw his ex-girlfriend alleging that Kearney pushed her and threatened to "destroy" her if she did not cooperate with him. This all came to light shortly after Kearney was arraigned on previous charges related to him allegedly attempting to aggressively silence potential witnesses against Karen Read, the woman accused of murdering her Boston Police officer boyfriend, according to a report by Boston 25 News. Kearney's attorney Tim Bradl has pushed back against the accusations, describing his client's ex-girlfriend as "an unstable person who is deranged" during Tuesday's hearing.
Additional accounts of the incident claim Kearney demanded to see his ex-girlfriend's phone, subsequently shoving her during their confrontation. "We're just shocked and disgusted that that's the ruling and we're going to do everything we can to fight it," Kearney's defense attorney Tim Bradl expressed to CBS Boston News, referencing the judge's decision to revoke bail. Support for Kearney was palpable outside the courthouse, with a group of backers and critics clashing verbally over the proceedings.
Amid the outcry and support, realities remain stark for Kearney, who was just released on personal recognizance with no bail conditions last Friday, only to find his freedom shortened. The judge’s order means Kearney could potentially be held in jail for up to 90 days. Kearney's lawyer and the special prosecutor were reached out to for comment but have yet to give statements, as reported by Boston.com.
As Kearney finds himself increasingly entangled in the judicial system, the case of Karen Read, whom he has vocally supported, continues to unfold. Read stands accused of murdering her boyfriend in a tragic incident that has gripped the local community. While prosecutors argue Kearney's aggressive tactics towards witnesses in Read's case amounted to harassment, he and Bradl have countered that his actions fell under the umbrella of First Amendment rights.
