First- surface level what happened to Cody was wrong and AJ is clearly narcissistic for not understanding boundaries That being said- I really did not like the trial, the United States does have freedom of religion, even religion that might frighten like krampus etc. the really only illegal thing I saw was that AJ violated his contract with the family by talking about things other than basketball. I do not think it was legal to say he was committing a crime by sharing his own beliefs, just because it scared a child. Let me repeat, the act of sharing beyond his agreed upon role--illegal, having his beliefs be inflammatory because they warped a mind not ready to process such things-not technically illegal if say they had hired him as a religious coach or something
To charge him for his beliefs rather than his breach of contract I believe undermines open thought, and shields those able to be shielded (aka well off people who can sue in a court of similar jurors) while leaving those who can't to be possibly exposed
Like we as a society don't sue missonaries that try to persuade minds of all ages with the help of service coercion because we deem that okay and other (imo equally ludicrous) thoughts like the illuminati as not okay. And I think this disparity forces more people to enter into cultish factions but that's just my personal view
Overall I just think it would have been better ethically to have charged him with breach of contract. As AJ spoke on the stand all I could hear was someone holding on to weird thoughts to distance himself from a court that was trying him for something he couldn't (but clearly tried to without any regard to the victim) control and if he can't trust in the legal system to get it right then things like the illuminati and other such narcissistic thoughts continue to perpetuate but only people like Cody will see the relief of a court on his side.
If the ruling was a breach of contract no religion needed to be brought up, and it would send a clear message-do your job, religion is personal and maybe we need to consider more mental health protection for children