TCPalm Russ Lemmon article on Kaitlyn Hunt - FreeKate Six bite-size Lemmon Drops to nibble on while waiting for

The Pruitt Meter to hit triple digits: Im thinking Kaitlyn Hunt is overplaying her hand. Did she really need to march with family members and supporters in Sebastians Fourth of July parade? I mean, shes acting like shes on a publicity tour. Just four days earlier, she was in New York City for the 44th annual Gay Pride Parade. Hunt, 18, is a defendant in a court case, facing felony charges. The Sebastian River High School graduate is charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious battery on a minor. The teen-sex trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 9. Two months ago, Hunts father in a desperate attempt to save his daughter from prosecution started a petition on the website change.org. More than 315,000 names are on it. Thanks to Facebook and other social media, this quickly turned into a national story. Their mantra became, Stop the hate! Free Kate! Im OK with the Free Kate part I dont believe she should be prosecuted. It would be a travesty if she went to prison. However, I do wish her supporters would drop the Stop the hate! line. If youre trying to change the law, as her attorney said when rejecting a plea offer, then at least accept responsibility for what happened. This case should be very easy to prove, so she needs to be more respectful toward the victim her former teammate on the basketball team. Then again, the Stop the hate! catchphrase has been instrumental in her fathers campaign to raise money to pay for the legal defense. As of Friday, Steven Hunt had raised more than $32,000 via the website gofundme.com. His stated goal is $50,000.

According to the website, more than 1,200 people have donated to the cause. Were talking people not only from the United States but also The Netherlands, New Zealand, Germany, Sweden and England. There you have it. Thats why theyre not about to drop the Stop the hate! part. Between the parade appearances and lack of respect for the victim (and the victims parents), Id say the potential for backlash against Kaitlyn Hunt is high.

TCPalm Comments on Free Kate story July 7, 2013 6:35 a.m. Suggest removal Reply to this post hanky writes: What this community needs to know is that the entire FreeKate campaign, started by Kaitlyn Hunt's parents, was foisted on the citizens of Indian River County, based on lies, misrepresentation of facts and slander and animosity against the victim and her family. As well as vindictive words for anyone who did not fully support their mischaracterization of the events which took place. They have made it their business to shout down and harass any person who dares speak truth or stand up for the victim or her family. Who in Sebastian City had the bright idea to have the FreeKate ride/march in the 4th of July Parade? Do the leaders of Sebastian care so little for the rule of law or victims of sexual crimes that they now want to parade perpetrators and hail them as home town heroes? It was a disgusting thing to witness and had I known the FreeKate group would be in the parade I would not have taken my family out to see that. Imagine having to explain to your young children who and what FreeKate is all about? The leaders of the city of Sebastian should apologize to the citizens of Sebastian for ruining what should have been a family fun event for all. Not to mention how that surely must have been received as a slap in the face to the victim and her family who also live in this community.

The decision makers who allowed this should be known, so if they are elected officials, we can choose not to vote for them again in the future. While the Hunt's have every right to parade their daughter around and hail her as some sort of civil rights hero for the gay community and make her famous for having sex with a minor child in the public restrooms at Sebastian River High School they don't have a right to slander and spew hatred towards everyone else who doesn't agree with or champion their criminal and immoral activities. They claim Kaitlyn is a victim of hate - but by everything I have read on their FreeKate Facebook pages they are the ones spewing hate like there's no tomorrow. The Hunt's do not seem to understand that not every parent in Indian River County will support their crusade to lower the age of consent laws and will not support their idea that it is good, healthy and normal for minor children to be having sexual relationships with adults. In fact, most parents I know, find it disgusting and immoral. The quicker Indian River County can be done and over with her trial the better for all law abiding citizens and get this freak show out of the public eye. July 7, 2013 7:08 a.m. Suggest removal Reply to this post Someone_with_smarts#293724 writes: in response to hanky: What this community needs to know is that the entire FreeKate campaign, started by Kaitlyn Hunt's parents, was foisted on the citizens of Indian River County, based on lies, misrepresentation of facts and slander and animosity against the victim and her family. As well as vindictive words for anyone who did not fully support their mischaracterization of the events which took place. They have made it their business to shout down and harass any person who dares speak truth or stand up for the victim or her family. Who in Sebastian City had the bright idea to have the FreeKate ride/march in the 4th of July Parade? Do the leaders of Sebastian care so little for the rule of law or victims of sexual crimes that they now want to parade perpetrators and hail them as home town heroes? It was a disgusting thing to witness and had I known the FreeKate group would be in the parade I would not have taken my family out to see that. Imagine having to explain to your young children who and what FreeKate is all about?

The leaders of the city of Sebastian should apologize to the citizens of Sebastian for ruining what should have been a family fun event for all. Not to mention how that surely must have been received as a slap in the face to the victim and her family who also live in this community. The decision makers who allowed this should be known, so if they are elected officials, we can choose not to vote for them again in the future. While the Hunt's have every right to parade their daughter around and hail her as some sort of civil rights hero for the gay community and make her famous for having sex with a minor child in the public restrooms at Sebastian River High School they don't have a right to slander and spew hatred towards everyone else who doesn't agree with or champion their criminal and immoral activities. They claim Kaitlyn is a victim of hate - but by everything I have read on their FreeKate Facebook pages they are the ones spewing hate like there's no tomorrow. The Hunt's do not seem to understand that not every parent in Indian River County will support their crusade to lower the age of consent laws and will not support their idea that it is good, healthy and normal for minor children to be having sexual relationships with adults. In fact, most parents I know, find it disgusting and immoral. The quicker Indian River County can be done and over with her trial the better for all law abiding citizens and get this freak show out of the public eye. I wish your comment had a "like" button! Your comments were right on! July 7, 2013 7:53 a.m. Suggest removal Reply to this post crabbystingray writes: Perhaps if the media ignored the case, the rest of us would too. Court cases should be tried in court, not in the media... July 7, 2013 8:04 a.m. Suggest removal Reply to this post Stranger55 writes: When the legal system has run it's course, Ms. Hunt will pay for her criminal indiscretions.

As for the good citizens of Sebastian allowing an accused sex offender to literally parade in the Independence Day celebration??? Maybe next year they will have a "Legalize Child Rape" float and allow convicted offenders to parade as well. July 7, 2013 8:50 a.m. Suggest removal Reply to this post vikingtice writes: in response to hanky: What this community needs to know is that the entire FreeKate campaign, started by Kaitlyn Hunt's parents, was foisted on the citizens of Indian River County, based on lies, misrepresentation of facts and slander and animosity against the victim and her family. As well as vindictive words for anyone who did not fully support their mischaracterization of the events which took place. They have made it their business to shout down and harass any person who dares speak truth or stand up for the victim or her family. Who in Sebastian City had the bright idea to have the FreeKate ride/march in the 4th of July Parade? Do the leaders of Sebastian care so little for the rule of law or victims of sexual crimes that they now want to parade perpetrators and hail them as home town heroes? It was a disgusting thing to witness and had I known the FreeKate group would be in the parade I would not have taken my family out to see that. Imagine having to explain to your young children who and what FreeKate is all about? The leaders of the city of Sebastian should apologize to the citizens of Sebastian for ruining what should have been a family fun event for all. Not to mention how that surely must have been received as a slap in the face to the victim and her family who also live in this community. The decision makers who allowed this should be known, so if they are elected officials, we can choose not to vote for them again in the future. While the Hunt's have every right to parade their daughter around and hail her as some sort of civil rights hero for the gay community and make her famous for having sex with a minor child in the public restrooms at Sebastian River High School they don't have a right to slander and spew hatred towards everyone else who doesn't agree with or champion their criminal and immoral activities. They claim Kaitlyn is a victim of hate - but by everything I have read on their FreeKate Facebook pages they are the ones spewing hate like there's no tomorrow. The Hunt's do not seem to understand that not every parent in Indian River County will support their crusade to lower the age of consent laws and will not support their idea

that it is good, healthy and normal for minor children to be having sexual relationships with adults. In fact, most parents I know, find it disgusting and immoral. The quicker Indian River County can be done and over with her trial the better for all law abiding citizens and get this freak show out of the public eye. Right on the money!! If my 18 yr old son had sex with a minor girl he would be in jail not in a parade!! July 7, 2013 8:56 a.m. Suggest removal Reply to this post sj1 writes: This girl broke the law, hopefully she will be convicted an sentenced to two consecutive 15 year sentences. July 7, 2013 9:11 a.m. Suggest removal Reply to this post gizmo3789 writes: in response to crabbystingray: Perhaps if the media ignored the case, the rest of us would too. Court cases should be tried in court, not in the media... Kate's parents (and possibly Kate herself) should also stay out of the limelight so the media CAN ignore the case. Unfortunately, NEITHER seem to be possible at this time. If that were to be the case, they (the "free Kate" clan) would have NOT participated in the Sebastian parade. Obviously they have NO intention of letting the public display of their plight die down. There is no "hate" involved, with the exception of those sympathetic to their cause claiming that those who do not support them are hateful against the "gay community" as much a fallacy as the idea that their "relationship" is any different from a legal standpoint as a heterosexual one involving an adult and a minor. Change the law if you must, but please stop the freakshow. July 7, 2013

9:23 a.m. Suggest removal Reply to this post markmucher writes: The thing that bothers me is that, if this had happened a few weeks earlier, there would have been no crime. Nothing changed except the calendar page flipped and now she is guilty of two felonies and will be on a sexual predator list for the rest of her life. Nobody else sees a problem with this? Is the solution to crucify her, or to change the law for classmates? Guess her only hope is for jury nullification, but not if the commenters here are on the jury... July 7, 2013 9:49 a.m. Suggest removal Reply to this post StopSeven50 writes: Who cares ? July 7, 2013 10:19 a.m. Suggest removal Reply to this post Ray1769 writes: By commenting "...Who cares..."shows that this (ahem) "commenter", does care ONLY about itself. Posting "freakshow" indicates the stigma with those that do not follow the (ahem) "normal" folks. And stopping the phrase "...Stop the hate..." has NOT stopped the hate. Only one comment, so far, has voiced understanding. Thanks, Mark. July 7, 2013 10:41 a.m. Suggest removal Reply to this post

markmucher writes: in response to Ray1769: By commenting "...Who cares..."shows that this (ahem) "commenter", does care ONLY about itself. Posting "freakshow" indicates the stigma with those that do not follow the (ahem) "normal" folks. And stopping the phrase "...Stop the hate..." has NOT stopped the hate. Only one comment, so far, has voiced understanding. Thanks, Mark. Thank you, Ray But, to be fair, I think (hope?) that sj1's comment was sarcastic, and that Gizmo's was not unsympathetic. July 7, 2013 11:55 a.m. Suggest removal Reply to this post crabbystingray writes: in response to gizmo3789: Kate's parents (and possibly Kate herself) should also stay out of the limelight so the media CAN ignore the case. Unfortunately, NEITHER seem to be possible at this time. If that were to be the case, they (the "free Kate" clan) would have NOT participated in the Sebastian parade. Obviously they have NO intention of letting the public display of their plight die down. There is no "hate" involved, with the exception of those sympathetic to their cause claiming that those who do not support them are hateful against the "gay community" as much a fallacy as the idea that their "relationship" is any different from a legal standpoint as a heterosexual one involving an adult and a minor. Change the law if you must, but please stop the freakshow. Since when is participating in a 4th of July parade a "freakshow"?...Why is there a big picture of Russ?

July 7, 2013 1:15 p.m. Suggest removal Reply to this post StopSeven50 writes: in response to Ray1769: By commenting "...Who cares..."shows that this (ahem) "commenter", does care ONLY about itself. Posting "freakshow" indicates the stigma with those that do not follow the (ahem) "normal" folks. And stopping the phrase "...Stop the hate..." has NOT stopped the hate. Only one comment, so far, has voiced understanding. Thanks, Mark. I dont care at all . It just makes our county look bad , Again they are trying to make a criminal a celebrity . If his was a male with a female there would be no sympathy . This is the GAY AGENDA trying to pass their immoral behavior as normal .Sanford has its Trayvon Zimmerman and we have poor little Kate . GAY MAFIA at work July 7, 2013 1:17 p.m. Suggest removal Reply to this post StopSeven50 writes: Just four days earlier, she was in New York City for the 44th annual Gay Pride Parade.http://cbsnewyork.files.wordpress.com... NUFF SAID Freak Show July 7, 2013 1:26 p.m. Suggest removal Reply to this post crabbystingray writes: "This case should be very easy to prove, so she needs to be more respectful toward the victim her former teammate on the basketball team'... Victim? I thought it was consensual... July 7, 2013

1:57 p.m. Suggest removal Reply to this post crabbystingray writes: Kaitlyns parent believe the other girls parents went to the police because they were angry their daughter was in a same-sex relationship. They didnt reach out to Kate or her parents to express their displeasure. They shattered her world by going to the police first. http://www.rachaelmoshman.com/2013/05... July 7, 2013 2:18 p.m. Suggest removal Reply to this post lotstosay writes: in response to crabbystingray: Kaitlyns parent believe the other girls parents went to the police because they were angry their daughter was in a same-sex relationship. They didnt reach out to Kate or her parents to express their displeasure. They shattered her world by going to the police first. http://www.rachaelmoshman.com/2013/05... Good reference, but perhaps you should also include the retraction of sorts from the same author: http://www.rachaelmoshman.com/2013/06... July 7, 2013 3 p.m. Suggest removal Reply to this post audiesgirl#278533 writes: No one's explained how this alleged child molester got into the parade in the first place. Since when are accused felons afforded such treatment? Trying to paint this as a gay rights issue will backfire. July 7, 2013 3:40 p.m. Suggest removal Reply to this post RightLeftCenter writes: in response to markmucher:

The thing that bothers me is that, if this had happened a few weeks earlier, there would have been no crime. Nothing changed except the calendar page flipped and now she is guilty of two felonies and will be on a sexual predator list for the rest of her life. Nobody else sees a problem with this? Is the solution to crucify her, or to change the law for classmates? Guess her only hope is for jury nullification, but not if the commenters here are on the jury... WRONG. This is a popular myth. Do you know Kaitlyn's DOB? All you have to do is look it up via Google. It is August 14, 1994. She was 18 years old several months before all of this transpired. It's tiresome that people repeat this "a calendar page flipped" NONSENSE. August, September, October, November, December..... July 7, 2013 5:10 p.m. Suggest removal Reply to this post hanky writes: in response to crabbystingray: Kaitlyns parent believe the other girls parents went to the police because they were angry their daughter was in a same-sex relationship. They didnt reach out to Kate or her parents to express their displeasure. They shattered her world by going to the police first. http://www.rachaelmoshman.com/2013/05... It matters not in the eyes of the law why or when the other girl's parents went to the police to report the criminal sexual deeds done against their own daughter. Yes, there is a victim because the age of consent in Florida is not 14. The myth that the parents waited until Kaitlyn Hunt turned 18 to go to the police is just a part of the lies and misinformation put out by the Hunt's in order to raise money and garner sympathy for their daughter. They have been able to do so because a lot of people have not looked past the Hunt's lies to the arrest record, in which Ms. Hunt

acknowledges and confesses to her crimes. The arrest record clearly shows date of birth for both girls with the ages being 18/14 the entire time Ms. Hunt engaged in criminal sexual activity with the minor child. The Hunt's are the ones who,chose to go public and begged for national and worldwide attention. They have done nothing to disavow the lies and misinformation. Only when they do not get the preferred special attention they seek for themselves and their daughter do they cry foul. They brag all over Facebook and other social media about how much support they have and how much money they have raised. They have paraded their daughter up and down the east coast raising money at every gay/transgender bar that will have and sponsor them and hail Kaitlyn a hero. Meanwhile, they have called on their 300K+ supporters to attack the law enforcement agencies of Florida and specifically Indian River County. As well, they purposefully released the names of the victim herself, and her parents. These people should be ashamed but they are not. They have proven they are in love with themselves and the limelight they have gained in making their daughter famous for sexually abusing a minor child. Well, I for one, and my circle of friends in Vero Beach do not find them to be celebrities except in the worst possible light. I think Mr. Lemmon has it right in that they have circled the wagons in their publicity tour to raise money - and anyone or anything that threatens to get in the way of their big money - like the TRUTH - will be run over by this freak brigade. July 7, 2013 6:58 p.m. Suggest removal Reply to this post crabbystingray writes: in response to lotstosay: Good reference, but perhaps you should also include the retraction of sorts from the same author: http://www.rachaelmoshman.com/2013/06... "I wish Kate well when she goes to court. I hope both girls are able to recover from this and move on with their lives"... It will be decided in court... July 7, 2013 7:03 p.m.

Suggest removal Reply to this post crabbystingray writes: in response to hanky: It matters not in the eyes of the law why or when the other girl's parents went to the police to report the criminal sexual deeds done against their own daughter. Yes, there is a victim because the age of consent in Florida is not 14. The myth that the parents waited until Kaitlyn Hunt turned 18 to go to the police is just a part of the lies and misinformation put out by the Hunt's in order to raise money and garner sympathy for their daughter. They have been able to do so because a lot of people have not looked past the Hunt's lies to the arrest record, in which Ms. Hunt acknowledges and confesses to her crimes. The arrest record clearly shows date of birth for both girls with the ages being 18/14 the entire time Ms. Hunt engaged in criminal sexual activity with the minor child. The Hunt's are the ones who,chose to go public and begged for national and worldwide attention. They have done nothing to disavow the lies and misinformation. Only when they do not get the preferred special attention they seek for themselves and their daughter do they cry foul. They brag all over Facebook and other social media about how much support they have and how much money they have raised. They have paraded their daughter up and down the east coast raising money at every gay/transgender bar that will have and sponsor them and hail Kaitlyn a hero. Meanwhile, they have called on their 300K+ supporters to attack the law enforcement agencies of Florida and specifically Indian River County. As well, they purposefully released the names of the victim herself, and her parents. These people should be ashamed but they are not. They have proven they are in love with themselves and the limelight they have gained in making their daughter famous for sexually abusing a minor child. Well, I for one, and my circle of friends in Vero Beach do not find them to be celebrities except in the worst possible light. I think Mr. Lemmon has it right in that they have circled the wagons in their publicity tour to raise money - and anyone or anything that threatens to get in the way of their big money - like the TRUTH - will be run over by this freak brigade. You and your circle of friends are entitled to your opinion. The court will decide the case. This column is critical for the wrong reasons in my opinion.

July 7, 2013 7:11 p.m. Suggest removal Reply to this post hanky writes: in response to crabbystingray: You and your circle of friends are entitled to your opinion. The court will decide the case. This column is critical for the wrong reasons in my opinion. I agree the court is where this should have remained. But, the Hunt's decided to try this in the court of public opinion. In my opinion that was a big mistake and a huge disservice to the LGBT community and those who support equality. July 7, 2013 7:33 p.m. Suggest removal Reply to this post crabbystingray writes: in response to hanky: I agree the court is where this should have remained. But, the Hunt's decided to try this in the court of public opinion. In my opinion that was a big mistake and a huge disservice to the LGBT community and those who support equality. There is public opinion in support and those who feel the law is the law. The victims family chose to go directly to the police regarding a sexual relationship that was apparently consensual, and now at least two young lives are forever changed...No one is a more rabid advocate for a child than the mother... July 7, 2013 7:46 p.m. Suggest removal Reply to this post hanky writes: in response to crabbystingray: There is public opinion in support and those who feel the law is the law. The victims family chose to go directly to the police regarding a sexual relationship that was

apparently consensual, and now at least two young lives are forever changed...No one is a more rabid advocate for a child than the mother... No - more of the FreeKate misinformation. Kaitlyn was warned 2 or 3 times before victim's parents went to the police. That certainly is their right to do so when warnings were not heeded. If all you have read is the Hunt's false outline of the events perhaps you should check out t supporthonesty.net Or others who have done more research in to the FreeKate lies and propaganda like http://theothermccain.com/2013/05/27/... http://www.thepinkflamingoblog.com/20... July 7, 2013 7:46 p.m. Suggest removal Reply to this post blondeambition70 writes: Never mind the parade, WHY did the IRCS let her walk at the SR graduation celebration considering in the sheriffs reports she had sex with the 14year old on SCHOOL CAMPUS at least 2xs. Having sex on campus is something a student would be expelled for. As a tax payer I am appalled the school board allowed her to walk the ceremony. I support gay rights but see right through this. This wasnt a gay issue, it was that the 14yr old parents didnt want their minor CHILD having sex. Watch the chanel 12 interviews that tell the real facts very different than the free Kate's camp spin.