Oklahoma Appeals Court Says Anti-Stalking Statute Targets Harassment, Not General Criticism

The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals reviewed the conviction of Meeks, who was sentenced for stalking after violating a protective order. While the panel agreed that the anti-stalking law targets unwanted conduct aimed at a specific person, it found the prosecution’s evidence inadequate because Meeks posted a nearly 40-minute YouTube video that discussed his ex-wife but was not sent to her. The court noted that the ex-wife learned of the video only after her boss forwarded a link, and there was no indication Meeks intended the video for her.

Consequently, the court refused to decide the larger First Amendment issue, stressing that statutes must be narrowly interpreted to avoid infringing protected speech. The ruling underscores the distinction between harassment directed at a victim and merely speaking about someone in a public forum. Meeks is represented by attorney James Thornley.