The mother of the Racine man, accused of making threats against police on social media, says the posts are out of character for her son and were made in the heat of the moment.
Police arrested 43-year-old Byron Cowan after an officer saw messages in which he urged black men to “be the first to shoot,” and warned that white officers should “kiss their love ones good-bye.” He appeared in Racine County Circuit Court Monday, where a $75,000 cash bond was set.
Cowan’s mother, who asked not to be named, was in court Monday. She says her family, even individuals living out of state, have been receiving threats since his arrest. “Some of the family members have been threatened online. There have been people online that have even suggested a lynching.”
Cowan is facing charges of Threats To Injure Law Enforcement as a Hate Crime and Terroristic Threats. His mother questioned the seriousness of the charges, when so many similar things are being posted online by others. “Some fines, maybe some jail time…but not 20, 30 years to be put away because of something he said in the heat of the moment.”
Cowan will be back in court next week for a preliminary hearing.
Contributed by WRJN