LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) – The man accused of threatening to burn down Trinity High School Wednesday night is out of jail.
Thor Wiljanen, 29, was released on his own recognizance, with the promise to return to court.
At his formal arraignment Friday morning, Wiljanen pleaded not guilty to one count of terroristic threatening to the second degree, a class D felony. The judge released him on the condition he would stay off all social media platforms.
Wiljanen's attorneys, Ted Shouse and Keith Poynter, say Wiljanen is a long-time Louisville citizen and describe him as a family man, and not "a flight risk.
"He's married, he owns a home. He has a good job. His employer told me at 6 o'clock this morning that he was a great employee," Shouse said. "He has two little girls, a 3-year-old who has special needs, he leaves two hours early three days a week to take his daughter to therapy."
Poynter described his character as "personable" and "light-heated." He said Wiljanen "tends to be very, very humorous in most situations and looks for ways to lighten a room."
The attorneys believe Wiljanen did not commit a crime by posting the threatening twitter messages under the account name "Proud Clarion."
"He is 'Proud Clarion' and he did post those tweets. That's not a confession," Shouse said. "I don't think he did anything illegal."
St. Matthews police said Thursday "a threat is a threat" no matter what the intention was when it was posted in response to suggestions Wiljanen's tweets were meant to be satirical and humorous.
"We're not a danger to this community. We were never a danger to Trinity high school. We're not a flight risk," Shouse said. "What this is is something that got out of control really quickly and I think we all need to slow down."
Wiljanen's attorneys say it is too early to determine how they will handle his case moving forward, but say a First Amendment argument may be part of the equation.
Wiljanen's next court appearance is set for January 4 at 9 a.m.