BY NOLAN CLAY nclay@opubco.com
A judge Friday ordered Sooner Tea Party co-founder Al Gerhart to face trial in a blackmail case.
Gerhart, a carpenter, is charged with two felonies over an email he admits sending to a state senator in an effort to get legislation passed.
Oklahoma County Special Judge Susan K. Johnson rejected defense arguments that the email was protected political speech.
“Your First Amendment rights are on trial, not just mine,” Gerhart told news reporters after the ruling was made at the end of a two-hour preliminary hearing.