Poster Boy's Day in Court

Poster Boy, whoever he may be, is back in the papers today following a court date. The NY Post, who is hell bent on helping nab the "Hell Razor," reports that the street artist "thumbed his nose at Brooklyn prosecutors yesterday and turned down a deal that would have kept him out of jail." The 27-year-old Henry Matyjewicz didn't seem keen on pleading guilty to the top charge of criminal mischief, which would land him 100 hours of community service. Now he awaits an April court date, and possibly a trial that could put him behind bars for a year. Yesterday the artist covered his mouth with his trademark scarf and let his lawyer, Kerry Gotlib, do the talking. Gotlib told the paper: "Of course it was rejected," adding that his client is a "well-educated, well-spoken citizen" and innocent of the charges being brought against him.

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By Jen Carlson in News on February 10, 2009 4:58 PM

Comments [rss]

Murray Hillster

If this guy wasn't so good at what he does, nobody would give a shit. But he is good and I think it's not difficult to argue that the overall contribution of his work to society is positive. The cost is really only one dumb advertisement.

Of course, this leads down a slippery slope of where do we draw the line for what is "acceptable" vandalism and what is unacceptable? Poster Boy is no Michelangelo, but for the sake of argument, if Michelangelo was defacing subway advertisements, would people still be calling for him to go to jail? Calling him a criminal? Would there be no exceptions for the work his was doing?

It's easy to be draconian and see everything in black/white, but that ignores the social costs associated with making those "easy" decisions.

Mr. Vos

What exactly has he 'tagged'? An ad? Give me a fucking break. Who cares if he manipulates an ad for Gossip Girl? I say drag the stupid advertisers into court for defiling the beautiful subway tile work...Go Poster Boy, Go!

Mr Mel

Well educated, well spoken, but still a criminal.

Wza

I am Poster Boy.

muhahaha...

snoopydog

"his client is a "well-educated, well-spoken citizen" and innocent of the charges being brought against him." Didn't Ted Bundy's lawyer say the same thing?

I hope he gets a jury full of people who's properties have been tagged.

kane

Just because someone is "well-educated" and "well-spoken" does not mean that they are unable to commit crimes.

Spirit of 76

Innocent people don't hide their faces behind scarves. About the only people I know of who do are Hamas members, who are hardly innocent of anything.

Can someone unearth an old yearbook photo of this guy?