Jan. 13, 2015, 5 p.m.
Ballarat man Philip Gluyas claims to be living in fear after anti-autism blogger Oliver Canby.
Philip Gluyas. PICTURE: THE COURIER
Two "keyboard warriors" - one in Victoria and one in Los Angeles -were involved in heated online arguments over the existence of autism that quickly escalated into death threats, a court has heard.
Philip Gluyas, 49, an umpire in the Ballarat junior football leaguewith Asperger's syndrome, claims to be living in fear afteranti-autism blogger Oliver Canby urged people to kill him in a seriesof posts on the website 'Autism is Bad'.
Canby, who lives in Los Angeles, wanted people to show up at MrGluyas' Sebastopol home and murder him, the Supreme Court was told onTuesday.
Canby, who does not believe Asperger's exists, claimed he would offera $500 reward to anyone who carried out the murder.
Mr Gluyas, an outspoken advocate for the rights of people with autism,is suing Canby in the Victorian Supreme Court for defamation claiminghe had made false and malicious statements about him, exposing him tohate, ridicule and contempt.
Mr Gluyas, who runs the blog 'Phil Gluyas: Autism News and Views. Thetruth about Autism is here', was first diagnosed with Asperger's in1997. The condition is considered to be part of the autism spectrum.
In his statement of claim, Mr Gluyas revealed one of Canby's posts onthe 'Autism is Bad' website went on to say: "Just to clarify, this is athreat of bodily harm, as well as a threat on Phil Gluyas' life".
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Ballarat autism blogger threatened with death