Judge dismisses charges against Batman

[Morg]

TAMPA -- Batman gets his mask back.

Hillsborough County Judge John Conrad ordered authorities today to return the custom-made Batman mask they confiscated from Walsh Ian Nichols after arresting him last fall for allegedly violating a state law that forbids wearing a mask on a public right of way. The judge also granted a defense motion to dismiss the misdemeanor charge against Nichols, who frequently shows up in Ybor City dressed as Batman. Prosecutors did not object.

Nichols' attorney, Kevin Hayslett, said police didn't read the whole law. It is only illegal to wear a mask, he said, if the person is violating someone's civil rights or committing a crime.

"He was eating sushi," Hayslett said.

The attorney said his client promised a "triumphant return to Ybor City this weekend."

Hayslett also offered some possible headlines for this story:

"Tampa is safe once again."

"The real Batman returns."

"A bright day for a dark knight."

http://blogs.tampabay.com/breakingnews/2009/02/batman-gets-his.html

 

[Bnightwing]

I remember looking up 'Batman' and it being a policeman or somethin in a dictionary somewhere.

 

[CELTICPRED]

I never figured Batman for a sushi-eater.

 

[bgates87]

I'd never even heard about this, I figured this thread would be about that town called Batman in Europe or somewhere that was suing Warner Bros a few months ago. Anyone know what happened with that?

Edit: I guess the town was in Turkey?

 

[chamber-music]

I had a friend in primary school whos surname was Batman and he used to wear a Batman mask in the playground everyday

 

[Two-Face]

 

[Nirvana]

I remember my dad came home from work a few months ago with the local paper showing me the story when this guy was arrested. It made me laugh.

 

[Majic Walrus]

So Batman's just sitting around eating Sushi and the cops came up and arrested him/took off his mask? WTF were these cops bored or something?

 

[AnorexicBatman]

Is this the climax for Batman Begins 3?
He was a fugitive at the end of TDK....

 

[Matt]

The shocking climax of this case came during Nichols testimony, as the defendent screamed, "What gives you the right? What's the difference between you and me?!?" Only to have a frustrated district attorney slam his fist on the witness stand and scream, "I'M NOT WEARING HOCKEY PADS!"

 

[Darthphere]

So Batman's just sitting around eating Sushi and the cops came up and arrested him/took off his mask? WTF were these cops bored or something?

Corruption runs deep in Tampa.

 

[amazingfantasy15]

A few friends of mine went to Tampa a few months ago and went to a bar in Ybor City, they said the place gets pretty dangerous after nightfall. Maybe Ybor City needs a sushi eating Batman around.

 

[StorminNorman]

Corruption runs deep in Tampa.

Just ask Thomas Jane.

 

[CashforStash]

No Judge against JAWS?