Ohio man not jailed for stopping Facebook apology

CINCINNATI (AP) — A man threatened with jail for posting comments about his estranged wife on his personal Facebook page unless he posted daily apologies for a month will not go to jail even though he stopped making amends a bit early.

A domestic relations judge told Mark Byron in Cincinnati today that posting the apology 26 days was sufficient.

A court magistrate had found Byron in contempt of a protective order because of his Facebook comments. He told Byron he could avoid a 60-day sentence by posting the apology for 30 days and paying a fine.

Court documents alleged Bryon’s comments were intended to be mentally abusive and harassing.

After agreeing to begin the apology last month, Byron said it violated his freedom of speech.

Byron’s attorney did not immediately return calls.