Sunday, December 13, 2009

Court Vandal Caught "Red-Handed"

Police said they arrested a disgruntled Washington state man early Thursday after he allegedly spray-painted graffiti on a courthouse in Brockton.

Officials said Andrew Steele, 45, of Tacoma, Wash., was arrested after he became angry over a probate court decision and used red spray paint to write "Steele Boys Rights Denide (sic)" several times on the Brockton District Court at 215 Main St.

Witnesses called police at about 2 a.m. to report a man vandalizing the courthouse. The responding officer caught Steele with a can of spray paint in his hand, officials said.

Steele told police he painted the message as "a protest" because he wanted his children to visit him in Washington, but a probate court judge denied the request.

Steele was arraigned in the same court on charges of tagging, destruction over $250 and malicious damage. Steele was ordered held in lieu of $50,000 cash bail or $500,000 surety. He will return to court on Jan. 6.

Full Article and Source:
Court Vandal Caught Red-Handed -- Literally

6 comments:

Louis said...

Hooray for Steele!

Betty said...

Oh, he did wrong, no doubt, but who among us doesn't secretly applaud?

We get so frustrated by the broken system and the injustice of it all.

Anonymous said...

I think sometimes people are driven to extremes and this was one. Unfortunately, his action did damage and that wasn't good. Too bad there's no such thing as dissolving paint!

Anonymous said...

I certainly understand his frustration.

jerri said...

i understand Andrew Steele's rage i am impressed that he used mega self control using red spray paint on a brick wall instead of another type of item or weapon on a person or persons to release his pain and distress

mandy said...

He was full of rage and frustration, yes, but mostly he was deeply depressed and brokenhearted that he was being denied his right to father his children and their right to have a father was ruled unimportant. Being denied his kids is bad enough, but to be wrongly accused by his wife and the mother of his children that he's unfit to be with them is a double whammy to the heart.

I applaud what he did even tho I didn't want him to do it. And how bad a crime was it? The paint was removed that evening.