"The Product of Impulsive, Irresponsible, Exceedingly Immature Behavior, Rather Than a Serious, Contemplated Threat to Harm Police Officers"

Judge Kathleen Williams acquits defendant in U.S. v. Martinez in Florida .

In November 20, 2023 , then twenty-one-year-old Martinez is heard saying, "I'm on yo ass like white rice my boy," pointing a sight-equipped firearm in the direction of a police vehicle driving ahead of him.

Martinez was convicted of transmitting a threat in interstate commerce.

The court concluded that the prosecution hadn't introduced enough evidence "to also prove beyond a reasonable doubt" that Martinez subjectively knew the Video would be taken as a true threat.

The Government presented no direct evidence of Martinez 's mental state, such as an admission of knowledge or intent, psychological expert testimony, or testimony of a friend or relative with knowledge of the defendant's thinking.

The jury was left to "stack inference upon inference".