Indiana blogger at center of free speech fight

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An Indiana man imprisoned on charges that he posted online rants against the judge who handled his divorce has become the center of a legal furor over whether his blog posts went beyond the limits of protected free speech.

Supporters ranging from the American Civil Liberties Union to the conservative lawyer behind the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark Citizens United ruling on campaign finance law are asking Indiana's top court to review a lower court ruling that upheld Dan Brewington's 2011 conviction for intimidation.

Authorities say some of Brewington's posts were threats. Brewington said he didn't mean for them to be taken literally.

Critics say the ruling upholding Brewington's conviction was based on his verbal attacks, not potential violence, and could endanger the right to criticize public officials.