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Display taken off courthouse grounds by vandals | LoudounTimes.com

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Display taken off courthouse grounds by vandals

Monday, Dec. 12, 2011 by Laura Peters | 248 comments | Email this story

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The Santa skeleton display after it was vandalized on Dec. 10 where it appears the head is missing. Courtesy Photo/NBC 4 Washington

A controversial Santa skeleton display has once again been vandalized, and this time the culprit can add larceny to their list of charges. On Dec. 10, the Loudoun County Sheriffs Office reported that the controversial skeleton Santa display on the Loudoun County Courthouse lawn was vandalized, but this time the perpetrators took a piece of it with them. The display was first vandalized on Dec. 5. The removal received a plethora of media attention nation-wide. The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors also decided on Dec. 6 to allow the next board to make a decision for next years displays on the courthouse lawn. The owner of the display is Middleburg resident Jeff Heflin Jr., according to Julie Withrow, a Loudoun County administrator. On Heflins application for inclusion in the courthouse display, he described his entry as art work of Santa on a cross to depict societys materialistic obsessions and addictions and how it is killing the peace, love, joy and kindness that is supposed to be prevalent during the holiday season. Heflin is not part of any organization and sponsored the display himself. According to Kraig Troxell, spokesman for the sheriffs office, a portion of the display was taken, but he declined to say which part was stolen. Not only do the vandals face a destruction of property charge if a criminal complaint is filed, but they also face a larceny charge for stealing a piece of the display. The Loudoun County Sheriffs Office is responsible for guarding the displays at the courthouse complex and grounds and the Leesburg Police Department also patrols the surrounding area in Historic Downtown, Troxell said.

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The Sheriffs Office doesnt have the manpower to specifically guard the displays as a part of its daily job, but deputies plan to take action to try and keep people from vandalizing the displays, Troxell said. The agency will enhance our current security measures at the courthouse, to include directed patrols in the area, Troxell said. We have security measures for the courthouse and the grounds and because theyre county property or considered county jurisdiction, we will investigate any criminal activity on these grounds. A Sheriffs Office report said the display was put back up on the evening of Dec. 9 and vandalized on Dec. 10. The incident is still under investigation.
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Comments
Mon, Dec 19 at 05:41 PM by Liberty Tree | Report this comment

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I call for fellow constitutionalists to stand up and protect the rights of free speech for every citizen of every -ism. I say we post 24 hour sentries on the courthouse lawn to protect these constitutionally protected displays of free speech against every self-rightous, religious zealot out there that decides that your freedoms are not as important as their religion.
Mon, Dec 19 at 02:32 PM by Kenneth | Report this comment

The Loudoun Times-Mirro

Its obvious that religious people are gullible people, who believe in childhood myths because they cant come to grips with death.
Mon, Dec 19 at 07:44 AM by FedUpDude | Report this comment

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The person is a vandal. That display was legally there and protected by the constitution under free speech. The person who took the head is unAmerican. If you want Christmas to be left alone I suggest you stop demanding a religious display on government property and leave it at the church or on your private property where it belongs. If you want it on government property prepare to see counter beliefs go up along side it.
Sun, Dec 18 at 11:31 AM by Leesburg Resident who loves Christmas | Report this comment Health and Wellness Bridal Guide Weekly Homes Guide 2011 Guide to Loudoun

So now the person who took the skeletons head is labeled a vandal? wtf? Too bad the vandal(s) didnt just take the whole thing and toss it in the nearest trash receptacle. The kid responsible for this needs to find something a bit more constructive to do in his spare time. Let Christmas be for those who appreciate and believe in it. not for others to make a mockery of the Holiday and abuse their so-called freedom of expression as an excuse to publicly show their stupidity.
Fri, Dec 16 at 09:38 PM by The Dude | Report this comment

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