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Spike Lee apologizes for Twitter mistake

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    Couple who fled home after filmaker's tweet hires law firm

  • Duration 4:41
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Movie director Spike Lee is today saying he's sorry the famous filmmaker posted to Twitter.

The address of an elderly couple that he thought was the address of George Zimmermann the Florida neighborhood watch men accused of shooting a black teenager to death.

As you can imagine the couple Elaine and David -- are living in fear her.

Death threats had been pouring in since the teenager -- on Martin was killed last month.

-- is -- Trace Gallagher is here with more on -- story what -- stress.

You know the original tweet Allen was actually sent by a man here in Los Angeles of that wrong address and then Spike Lee read tween hit the wrong address of course Spike Lee has 250000.

-- so what had a big impact.

That wrong address is several miles away from portray bond -- was actually shot.

And the mistake happened because a -- Maclean has a son whose name is William George Zimmermann who lived with her back in the 1990s.

And now as you might imagine in the planes have been her rats non stop listen to them.

We know we have extremists all over.

And that we're afraid that someone might see the -- decided well we'll take care of myself.

None of those black Panthers have about -- home.

Infusion instead.

And you don't know what they're followers might decide to do.

Spike -- says he's sorry issuing this tweet saying and I'm quoting here I deeply apologize to -- McLane family for re tweeting.

Their address it was a mistake.

Please leave the McClain is in peace.

And by saying justice in court but much of the damage is already done the elderly couple has moved out of their house and into a hotel.

And they have hired a very well known Orlando law firm there's no word.

If they plan legal action but here's the deal Spike Lee actually violated twitters policy by -- re tweeting that address so there's a chance that he is Twitter account.

Might be taken down as well -- Twitter also has not.

Responded to this -- actress so let's who else is in store for Spike Lee let's bring in attorney Greg GM for -- -- To talk about this.

-- Greg thanks for being here how much trouble is likely -- legally using quite a bit of trouble.

And frankly I think losing his Twitter account is going to be the least of his problems.

And so what sorts of charges can he face four had erroneously tweeting this address.

I don't think he really faces.

Criminal charges but under the circumstances.

Civil liability.

Is absolute here I think this is the -- case -- lawyer's dream about imagine -- the McLean's wearing your parents.

Imagine how emotionally.

Damaging their it's going I mean you're talking about a situation.

Where.

This is a group and this is not to weigh in against George -- or wars George Zimmermann.

This is a situation where I mean on Friday you've got demonstrators.

On behalf.

Of trade on -- Who the -- North Miami Dade the North Miami Beach students.

Actually charged into a Walgreens and ask you this is the kind of situation and extremists that the -- have to be worried about.

So so Greg let's and it Spike -- hadn't treated the wrong address that he'd gotten it right okay that -- actually tweeted out.

George -- accurate address is that a -- I don't think necessarily.

It's a crime per say.

But I would even argue given what may end up or reasonably expect to happen to George Zimmermann under those circumstances.

He might even be legally responsible to George Zimmermann.

Look I understand he wants to take a stand and have a position and be involved in this situation obviously.

But I think under the circumstances.

-- even he would admit that he made a mistake.

Now is a larger lesson here for all of us basically in social media.

And that is -- we all just go around tweeting whatever we want or are there laws here.

Well the fact is.

That Spike Lee is a celebrity and he's really should thank you really is held to a higher standard release should be held to a higher standard under these circumstances.

So I think and frankly.

As far as lawyers -- he's considered a deep pocket so that's a situation that exists here and it's going to be.

He's going to at least a minimum he's gonna have to buy these people would know home as far as I can say.

Oh my gosh so obviously he's in hot water and it's.

Cautionary tale for the rest of us to be responsible and Twitter and social media Greg jumper Carl thanks so much for coming and my pleasure Alison thanks -- a dollar and a dream headed.

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